7 ways to stay cool and calm this festive season December 12 2018, 0 Comments

The countdown is on until Christmas and the festive season is now in full swing. For many of us this means additional pressure to catch up with absolutely everyone, tick off every item on our Christmas shopping list, tidy up any loose ends at work and for some of it might mean kids end of school graduations, concerts or preparing for a holiday. Let’s be honest this time of year can bring out all of the feels! Stress, overwhelm, anxiety, that daunting feeling that you’re not going to get everything done.

For some of us this time of year also means spending time doing things we mightn’t ordinarily choose to do. From fighting people for car parks at the shopping centre, attending family gatherings you’d rather wish to avoid and spending money you don’t necessarily have.

The good news is we can navigate the silly season in a more conscious and connected way.

It’s so common to get caught up in the ‘rush’ and ‘madness’ of the festive season. Pause, connect with the present moment and the here and now. Notice when your mind wants to worry about something in the future or ruminate over something (potentially a negative Christmas experience) from the past and return your attention to the present moment. You can do this by noticing your breath, the rise and fall of the chest or stomach or by tuning in to your five senses - what can I feel, see, smell, hear, taste?

Bring gentle awareness to your thoughts and words. Notice when you become triggered by particular places, people, words and situations. See if you can drop the judgement and temptation to judge things as right or wrong, good and bad and choose more loving thoughts and words. This includes self-judgements and any thoughts of you not doing enough or being enough.

Try to experience this time of year with a beginner’s mind. Leave behind past experiences, preconceived ideas, opinions and judgements of what the festive season is usually like. Attempt to see things as if for the very first time. If you’re up for an extra challenge that includes the family members who trigger you most. Notice what shifts when instead of the closed and rigid vision you start to see life through a more open and curious lens. Perhaps putting up the Christmas tree becomes a exercise of mindfulness and undoing the tangled fairy lights a valuable lesson in presence and patience.

The festive season can be a difficult time for many people for a whole range of reasons. Showing kindness and compassion to yourself first and foremost will help the good vibes flow out to everyone else around you. Watch your nasty inner critic, be kind to yourself if you’re experiencing a particularly challenging time. One simple technique is to place both hands over your heart and provide some words of comfort like “I’m doing the best I can” or “this sucks right now but I will get through it.”

Don’t be afraid this festive season to say no. Don’t take on more than you can manage. Put yourself first, drop the need to please others and make conscious decisions about how you spend your precious time and energy. Saying no and setting firmer boundaries can be difficult but over time it becomes easier as you learn to flex your ‘no’ muscle.

Having an attitude of gratitude increases our overall physical, emotional and mental well being, improves our sleep, relationships, empathy and self-esteem. Practice gratitude throughout the festive season by telling your loved ones what you’re grateful for in writing or if you celebrate, at the Christmas dinner table. Notice how you feel when you start to express your gratitude and if you want to deepen your practice, explore why you’re grateful.

7. Simplify.
Brainstorm ways that you can make your life easier at this time of year. Can you visit and support your local shops instead of battling the large shopping centres? Can you bake or make gifts or gift experiences rather than adding to landfill? What can you cross off your to-do list to create more time and space in your day? Simplify, simplify, simplify.

December and January can bring up all kinds of emotions for people. This festive season, why not slow down, take a deep breath and reconnect with what matters most to you. Don’t get caught up in the hype that it this time of year has to be chaotic or unpleasant!