I never ever want to be the bearer of bad news and this news may send you in to a downward spiral or a happy dance, but the truth is friends there are only 32 shopping days until Christmas!!!!!
Are you still standing? I am dancing with joy along with all of you who looooove Christmas as much as I do but, at the same time I have to admit it can be a stressful time and that’s why I’m here. To help you through this.
I know you’ve heard the saying that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over, and over, and over again and expecting different results. Well friends, the season of insanity is upon us. Are we going to push through it the same old way or try something different this year?
I hope you will try to do things differently this year and get through the holidays with a brighter outlook and a less stressed body and soul. The stress that the holidays put on us is extremely unfair to ourselves and to those we love. The more we have to do the less we want to do, and if we’re pushed into doing too much, resentment can build.
Stress can dampen our spirits and frazzle our nerves. When prolonged it wears on our adrenals which can affect our mood significantly.
Since we have just hit the most stress-FULL time of year let’s talk about how to manage it this year better than ever.
1) Think about what is good. Stress wants to remind us over and over again all day long about the bad things that are happening. Things like “I’m not going to make it to get the kids on time”, “I don’t have time to pick up snacks”, “I’m going to be late to my meeting”, “I can’t help my husband today”, “I have too much to do”, “I am not going to be able to pay the bills this month”, etc. Stress paralyzes us and keeps us stuck in a bad place physically and mentally. But let’s look back at the first sentence in this paragraph – Think about what is good. Let’s do that and let’s use positive words too. Maybe you can’t make it to get the kids on time but you will make it, and your friend can wait with them until you get there. Maybe you can’t help your husband today but you can help him this weekend. Not being able to help right now or be exact in everything you do does NOT make you a bad person. Do what you can do, when you can do it and be okay with yourself. If you are okay with yourself others will be also.
2) Take time to clear your head. I know during this busy time you will hardly have time to breathe but taking a minute to do nothing can put everything into perspective. Planned quiet times are a good balance to a busy day. If only for two minutes or ten. Just sit, close your eyes, breathe and think only about the sound of your breathe. It will be hard at first but the more you do it the more your body will crave it. Use it as a time of prayer, but do not use it to think. No, no, no. It is a time of solitude and your to-do list does not fit in that category. Please friend, take time to clear your head. It will be the best thing you do for yourself all day.
3) We need to guard our hearts. We need to remove ourselves from negativity and pessimism. The definition of pessimism should really open your eyes. It did mine. The definition is… a tendency to see the worst aspect of things or believe that the worst will happen, a lack of hope or confidence in the future. Wow!! And the synonym of pessimism is negativity. It is extremely important for us to guard our hearts from people, words, situations and places that see the worst about every aspect of life. My friend, your heart is so precious and if it is not guarded it will be tarnished. During this holiday season (and every day of the year) keep your heart surrounded by what is true, honest, pure, good and beautiful. You deserve it!
4) Do not listen to your ego. Stress is such a liar. It makes us think we are doing a really good job and being extremely productive. We delight in our ability to multitask. But being overly productive is usually counterproductive. Listen less to your ego and more to your gut. If your gut is telling you to slow down or take a break, please do so. It is for your health and well-being. Your ego only regards you self-importance and not what really matters to you. Don’t listen.
5) Have a thankful heart and truly experience Christmas instead of just going through the motions. As your family sits around the table, look at each of them and take a moment to appreciate what each has added to your life this past year. If you have loved ones that have passed on, appreciate the memories you have of that dear one. As you pass out gifts, be thankful that you are able to give and to receive. Be thankful for the minutes you have together and hug like it’s your last hug. A thankful heart will be the best gift you can give yourself and others during this crazy busy season.
6) And last but not least – remember your limits. Trying to do too much can put such a strain on your body and your soul. We are not made of steal. We are human and as humans we need to sleep, eat well and take time to relax. During the holidays we seem to think sleeping, eating and relaxing can be put off until another time, but it’s even more important when added stressors greet us each morning of the holiday season.
The problem is if we do not learn to control stress eventually it will control us, either physically or mentally. One way or another it’s going to get us. To protect our bodies we must sleep, eat well and relax. To protect our minds we should think about what is good, pure and honest. To protect our spirit we must spend time alone and time with God.
Take care of yourself!
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