During the holiday season, family gatherings, gift buying, decorating and the flurry of other seasonal activities can leave you a bit blue and drained. Using mindfulness may help you become more resilient by developing inner resources to meet (and conquer!) those life stressors. Most of us have heard that sitting and focusing on slow, deep breathing is a notable way to help you achieve mindfulness. There are other simple ways you can be mindful if meditating isn’t your cup of tea. Here are some examples:
Tune in to what matters. Mindfulness is not just about living life more fully, but also encompasses gaining more insight about how you want to live your life. This goes for holidays, too. Focus on what part gives you meaning and/or makes you happy and give up what makes you stressed.
Scratch multitasking off your list. Focusing on doing one thing fully at a time can help loosen the grip of anxious thoughts and help you feel more balanced. For practice, take an orange and peel it very slowly. Feel the pebbly surface, smell the pungent fragrance, and taste the tangy juiciness. Bring your full attention to whatever you are doing, whether stringing lights or participating in a year-end meeting.
Take a few minutes to walk outside. There’s a reason why most retreats include outdoor sessions. A walk in the fresh air, feeling your feet firmly strike the ground can bring you back to the calmness of the moment, silencing anxious thoughts such as how you’re going to get everything done. While outdoors, learn a classic mindfulness technique: look up at the clouds. Whenever worrisome or negative thoughts intrude, don’t judge them. Let them arise and float by like passing clouds.
Tap into the small moments of joy. It may not come from hosting the perfect holiday spread or finding the perfect gift. Just seeing the winter moon shining through the trees or your dog romping through the first snowfall can bring heartfelt delight once you become aware of experiencing the moment.
Learn to say, “hmmm, that’s interesting.” Things not going exactly as planned? Are there heated discussions at a family get-together? Instead of reacting and letting anxiety or anger take over, learn to just observe what you’re feeling, and “greet your emotions with kindness.” This will help you reconnect more with yourself, and by so doing, may help you experience more interconnectedness with others.
Technology can be a surprising benefit when you’re seeking a few minutes peace. Several free mindfulness apps are available at the touch of your finger. Check out our blog from October, Take 5: Top Mental Health Apps, to get started.
