Put Peace into your Christmas
It's Christmas Eve and I know things can be overwhelming. We sometimes put too much on ourselves creating stress that can cause us not to think favorable of the glorious season. Please take time to put Peace into your Christmas by doing the following:
Morning Meds- Start your day with meditation. It keeps you faithful to who you are. It keeps you focused on what needs to be done. It helps you to follow through with your plan for the day.
Recognize – If changes have occurred in your life recognize what you are capable of doing. Your family size may have increased or your finances aren’t the same. Change or create a new tradition. Don’t allow yourself to get caught up with the material aspect of Christmas.
Love Yourself – Make time for yourself, the holiday can cause you to get overwhelm. If you are drained or your cup is empty, you can’t give what you don’t have. Light a candle, take a bath. Get a massage or pedicure. If you can’t manage a complete massage get a 15 minute one. You’ll feel so much better.
Spread some Holiday Cheer – Stay focused on the real reason for Christmas. Take time to share joy with those that may be experiencing some type of grief. Volunteer at a nursing home. Go Christmas caroling. Help make someone’s day.
Breathe- A lot of times when you’re stressed we don’t breathe. Our breath becomes shallow. Practice taking deep breathes that fill up your lungs. Filling our lungs to capacity helps us to release toxins.
Dance and Sing – Create great memories...whether you’re decorating the tree, cooking or just sitting around the house. Get your family, turn on some Christmas music sing and dance with them. It will make you feel wonderful and create a lasting impression for years to come.
Gut therapy – If you tend to get depressed during the holiday, try gut therapy. That means going light on food choices. The hormones that make up your moods are in your gut. So, it’s best to eat light so you don’t feed those emotions.
Don’t get a Headache…Drink Water – water is essential. The majority of the time we have headaches and don’t know why. 90% of the time it’s our brain trying to tell us, it’s de-hydrated.
Keep snacks with you – don’t allow yourself to get so hungry that you lose patience and get irritated standing in line.
Ask for help - If you are planning a party or cooking the family fest. It’s a good time to make it a family event. Start early so you don’t get frustrated with the children or your spouse if they don’t do it quite the way you want.
Just say No – If you’re asked to do something you don’t want to do. Be true to yourself, say “No” don’t do it. It’s okay, don’t feel obligated or guilty. You don’t want to feel resentful.
Be creative – Make gifts or think of personalities or habits of the person you’re getting a gift for. You may come up with a gift that doesn’t require much money or any money at all.
Seek Support - If you are lonely or have experienced loss and the holidays are hard to deal with seek support. Attend social, community or faith based events. Volunteer to help others that will help to lift your spirits.
Clean a Room – Divide the house cleaning up between family members. Give each their room plus a room or two to clean. If it’s just you, do a room a day. This will save you from last minute rushing to get it done.
Laugh – Don’t be so serious. Take time to laugh, the best laugh is when you can laugh at yourself.
Map it out- If you are having an event, map out what you want to happen and what you want to purchase. Create list of ingredients, gifts, things to do, than stick to it. This will keep you from running around fumbling to get things done.
You can’t buy happiest – get a curtain amount of cash, don’t take your bank or credit cards with you. Shop with that designated amount of money.
Smile – Smile and nod at a stranger, if even if you don’t say hello. It will make you and the person feel good on the inside.
Accept people for who they are – You can only control you. You can’t change them. You will cause yourself undo frustration and stress. If you have an issue with someone or a loved one, tomorrow is not promised. Don’t be sorry….Life is too short to hold grudges
Acknowledge what you celebrate. We live in a melting pot. Say Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa. Even if you don’t celebrate Hanukkah or Kwanzaa but your peers do. Wish them happiness during their celebration time.
Do You – Comparing your life to someone else is a sure way to fall short. Don’t set expectations that are beyond you. Live up to what is comfortable to you.
CELEBRATE - If you are a Christian, celebrate The Reason for the Season...Go to worship today and tomorrow. If it was not for HIS birth there would be no CHRISTmas...
MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!
