Instead of dealing with the stress of the holidays how about working to add more joy? Working towards feeling calm, grateful, and loving are surefire ways to change the holidays from stressful to joyful.
Below are 5 tips that truly work to add more joy and peace to your holiday season.
1. Take One Day at a Time and stay present for each moment. Schedule mindfully so that you have plenty of time to get from place A to place B, with even time for a breather (i.e. coffee/tea break, wrapping a present, change of clothes). Rushing only adds more pressure to the holidays –our schedule is something only we plan ourselves.
2. Embrace Tradition. Tradition connects us to our past…a time when the wonder of the holidays seemed to be a part of everything. Tradition can also help us keep structure in the day. Knowing how to plan (what to buy, who to invite, what to wear) for the bigger events takes a whole lot of the stress out of the holiday equation.
3. Try Something New. While tradition matters, you can also spice things up by trying something different this year. Try a new recipe along with your traditional feast, volunteer for a day with friends or your family, and/or invite someone who doesn’t celebrate your holiday to your celebration. Changing things up just a bit will often be the one memory that family and friends remember for years to come.
4. Leave the Critic At Home. This holiday, try leaving your inner judge at home. While you may feel a bit disappointed for not losing the 20 pounds you wanted to fit into that new holiday outfit you spotted or you are a bit envious of your wealthy relatives with the latest and greatest gadgets, you don’t have to continue to put yourself down for not being or having all that you expect yourself to be and possess.
5. Bring Gratitude Wherever You Go. One of my favorite quotes by David Steindl-Rast….”it is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful.” To bring more joy into the holidays all we need to do is find something to be grateful for. And believe me, everyone has something to be grateful for.
