How are you handling holiday stress?
The holiday season is in full swing and Christmas Day is right around the corner. Now, I have always loved the song “The 12 Pains of Christmas” by Bob Rivers because we all seem to have moments like these during the holidays. Particularly if you put up your own Christmas lights like we always do. However, this year, it seems the holidays are particularly stressful.
Now, Christmas time is by far my favorite time of year. I love the decorating and the cooking. I enjoy giving gifts to my family and friends and I wait all year long to listen to the beautiful music and see the houses all lit up with twinkling Christmas lights.
Growing up I always felt like Christmas time was magical. Yes, that probably had to do with stories of Santa Claus and gifts that mysteriously appeared sometime between Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. There was more to it than that though. It was the traditions that were built and the memories were made. It was quality time with my family and the fact that people always seemed a little bit happier to me. Most importantly, I always felt more connected to God during Christmas time, something that I used to find quite difficult.
This year however, I’m finding that holiday stress is more pervasive. Even though I don’t watch the news, I keep hearing about how the recession is impacting the lives of those around me. I am also quite busy this year and I am finding it hard to take time out and enjoy the season that I love so much.
Now, everything I am doing is something I want to be doing. It’s all important to me. Therefore, I had to begin balancing between the work I love and the holiday I love in order to minimize holiday stress.
What can you do to minimize holiday stress and enjoy the season?
1. Take time out for you.
It’s important to take a time out during the hustle and bustle of the season to nurture yourself. Drink a cup of hot chocolate in front of the fireplace. Bundle up and go for a long walk and enjoy the cold winter air. Find a quiet place to read and watch the snow fall, if you get snow that is. Find something that will calm you and help you to rejuvenate and refocus so that you can cope when life gets overly busy.
2. Enjoy your holiday traditions and start some new ones.
What is it that your family does to celebrate the holidays? Focus on the joy and continuity that comes from traditions that have been passed on through the generations in your family. In my family, we always attend the 11pm service at church and then come home and open our 1 Christmas Eve presents (always pajamas). I love the fact that this is something my mother did with her parents and something that I will do when I have children.
For many people, the holidays can be a difficult time that brings up unhappiness from the past. Try starting with a clean slate this year. Whatever has happened in your past is done and nothing will change it. You do have the opportunity to start fresh. Create new traditions that are just for you that you will carry forward to future Christmas seasons and leave anything behind that no longer serves you.
3. Participate in holiday festivities.
If you love the holidays or hate them, being alone can lead to depression this time of year. Join the festivities with people you love to be with. Have a tree trimming party or go caroling. Release holiday stress and share in the joy of Christmas by giving a toy or other donation to someone in need.
4. Get rid of that to do list.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the number of tasks to be completed this year than throw out that to do list and focus on the things that bring you joy. If you don’t like sending Christmas cards then stop feeling guilty about not getting to it and go do something you do enjoy like having a snow ball fight. If you can’t get all the lights up and then just do a few and move on with it. If you don’t have time to make cookies from scratch for that holiday party than buy some from the store. They might not be as tasty as yours, but they’ll be appreciated none the less.
5. Most of all remember to connect with Source.
Christmas is above all else about love. The love that God has for the you and the love that you share with the world. Take time to meditate and pray and receive the love that God gives you unconditionally. Know that whatever is going on in your life you are loved by God.
I know that there are many beautiful religious and spiritual traditions in the world, so for whatever holy day you celebrate, I encourage you to apply thes same tips. Focus on the spirit and meaning of the day, and allow it to help you connect to and experience the love of God.
Happy Christmas everyone!
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