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The holidays are upon us – a time of year that’s known for its busy nature that can lead to quite the load of stress.After all, you likely have several invitations to gatherings collecting on your counter, a long list of people you need to send holiday cards to, and the daunting task of braving the shopping mall crowds to find the gifts for your loved ones. Not to mention your normal everyday life. It can be overwhelming, to say the least.
I wanted to share with you some of my personal favorite ways to navigate this busy, stressful time of year and make this season a lot more enjoyable, less stressful, and a time you will remember fondly.
These secret weapons of mine include…
Put forth great effort to be present. It can be difficult, I understand. It’s almost a reflex to pick up our phones and scroll through Facebook or our email when we have a free moment – do you do the same? One way I like to dodge this is to leave my electronics in another room. Don’t even allow yourself the temptation to pick up your phone and disengage from communicating with your gathered love ones. When I’m feeling particularly scatter-brained, what really helps ground me is focusing on my senses.
What do I smell? What do I hear? What do I feel? Stopping and thinking through what’s going on around you at that very moment really brings you into the present moment unlike anything else. It’s a wonderful tool to use to dial in and be present – and a great tool to use year-round, not just during the holidays!
Let go of those expectations. A lot of the stress we put on ourselves this season lies in the notion that we expect things to be perfect. That’d be lovely, of course – but when putting your entire extended family in one house something is bound to go awry. Therefore, dropping the expectations of perfection will allow you to be prepared for when something doesn’t go according to plan. There is joy to be found in each situation, so spend your energy finding gratitude in your circumstances and enjoying as much of your time as you possibly can. Tis the season!
Find time to move. It’s incredibly important to keep movement in your schedule, no matter how busy you may feel. Even if it’s just a brisk walk after lunch or dinner, make it a habit to bundle up in your favorite scarf and winter coat to go for a walk to clear your mind. Be sure that you are getting your time outside in nature, breathing in fresh air, while burning off some calories and keeping your heart rate up.
What are your favorite ways to get some movement in during the cold months? I have two favorite ways: 20 minutes of yoga stretches or putting on my favorite music and dancing it out. Post a comment and tell me about your favorite way to stay moving this season!
Set time aside for yourself because you matter! An Epsom salt bath works wonders. Put some essential oil in the diffuser and read your favorite book for an hour. Go for a walk in nature and clear your head and enjoy the earthy smells of the season.
Here are a couple of my favorite aromatherapy blends to stay grounded and nurture yourself.
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