Learning some simple mindfulness tips can help you manage holiday stress and experience more of the joy you want. Holiday mindfulness allows you to appreciate the present moment and let go of unnecessary demands and obligations.
So, keep reading to discover some useful tactics for “finding your bliss” and enjoying your best holiday ever!
What is Mindfulness?
There is nothing complicated about mindfulness. It is simply the act of focusing on the present moment.
Not the past or future. Just right now.
Accept what currently IS without judgment, regret, or guilt.
The more you can be mindful during the holidays, the more grateful and stress-free you can become.
Why is it difficult to be mindful during holidays?
Why are holidays so stressful?
It seems as if it would be a fun and festive time with family and friends, but the opposite is often true.
You are trying so hard to make everything perfect, including perfect memories with your children that they will cherish and remember forever.
But along the way you lose yourself.
Understanding where the stress comes from helps you to know where to focus on improving your mindfulness at this time of year.
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There is a lot to do
And often with very little time. You still have your other responsibilities on top of the numerous things you have to juggle during the holidays.
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Financial issues
Many people struggle to figure out how to pay for decorations, gifts, parties, traveling, and other holiday expenses.
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The expectations are different from reality
Even after you work hard to make everything perfect, it doesn’t always turn out the way you had planned. This is where mindfulness really comes in handy.
How can mindfulness help you?
Mindfulness allows you to stay in the present and put all of those unrealistic expectations aside so you can just enjoy the moments.
You learn to accept the moment
Every moment you live is a gift.
Sure, it might not always be what you expected, but during the holidays, it isn’t about being perfect.
It”s about enjoying yourself, being with family and friends, and having more gratitude for what you do have in your life.
Mindfulness helps you slow down
Pausing with mindfulness is one of the best things you can do to stay present during the hustle and bustle of the holidays.
Memories are treasured
If you are constantly just thinking about the next thing you need to do, it will be hard to hold on to the memories of now.
Do you want to remember the holidays as a time you spent with your loved ones, or when you were so busy you missed out?
How Can You Stay Present in the Middle of Chaos and Stress?
It seems almost impossible, doesn’t it?
But by following just a few simple mindfulness tips, you can definitely do it!
Practice Beforehand
If you have a little time before the holidays begin, it is a great time to start practicing your mindfulness habits.
This doesn’t require anything more than just sitting quietly and focusing on whatever you are doing at that time. It might mean being quiet during a meal, sitting in your bedroom at night and pondering how you feel at that time, or being mindful while taking a walk.
Release Judgment
A very big part of mindfulness is letting go of judgment and guilt.
This is not just releasing judgment of others, but of yourself and the situations you find yourself in during the holiday season.
Don’t worry about how you look, if the food is good enough, if the decorations are perfect, or what others are thinking. These thought patterns are negative and will make it difficult to be mindful and appreciate the present moment.
Take a Pause
Being mindful is nothing more than taking a mental break.
It is so easy to get wrapped up in what you should have done, what you still have to do, and what is or isn’t perfect during the holidays.
When you find your mind wandering instead of enjoying time with family or friends, just pause and bring yourself back to this moment.
Focus on the Moment, Not the Big Picture
Remember to focus on the present, not the big picture. It isn’t about having the perfect Christmas memory, but about each little thing that made your Christmas memorable.
Have Mindful Meals
Mindfulness can work during any event or experience, but a great time to practice it is while having meals with others. It can be your family holiday meal, at a party, or just at home by yourself.
During your meals, turn off all distractions.
This means no phone, no TV, no laptop, etc.
Think about what you are experiencing during your meal. Focus on the flavors, the colors, and the textures of what you are eating.
Think about how you are feeling.
Eat without judgment, guilt, or any other emotion that doesn’t add to the satisfaction of that meal.
Using Mindfulness After the Holidays are Over
Once you have mastered being mindful during the stressful holiday season, it will be even easier to use it during the rest of the year. Here are some ways to keep being mindful after the holidays and into the new year.
Use Mindfulness for Your Resolutions
Before the new year begins, you will probably choose some resolutions. These are goals you want to focus on in the year ahead. It is a wonderful time to feel like you get a fresh start, a new beginning.
But it is also really important that you understand what you really want and what your passions are, not just what you think is expected by others.
Think of the moment right now
What are you thinking about the most in this moment? What is bringing you joy? What is stressing you out? Being mindful NOW will help you figure out what resolutions will help you in the future.
Keep being non-judgmental and non-critical
Mindfulness takes away a lot of the judgment and critical thinking about yourself, your past, and your choices. This reduces your stress and allows you to make mistakes without regret.
Keep doing this as you think of goals for the year and try to remember what gives you a feeling of accomplishment, not what you feel you have to do to “make up” for past mistakes.
Being Mindful Year-Round
After the holidays are over and the new year has begun, keep pausing, enjoying your moments, expressing gratitude, and just enjoying your life.
The more you can be mindful during each of those moments in your life, the more satisfied you will be with your life.
Thank you for reading and please remember to comment and share!
