We all dream of having a wonderful Christmas break. We may start each day full of
the spirit of the season and marvel at the beauty of the world. But life can be stressful…
Being together with a family for several days when everyone is used to the space
generated by going out to work can lead to the disappearance of good feelings.
The joy and magic of the season can easily be overshadowed by obligations, responsibilities,
credit card spending gone mad, and, perhaps, relatives!
So how could we change this pattern? Here are some tips to make the season a little
jollier - or at least more peaceful:
Contemplate adjusting your outlook: Your perspective is the looking glass through
which you see the world. It is central to how you experience emotions, situations
and life in general. By shifting your perspective you can, in effect, change you
experience. This is your life - put a positive spin on things - what have you got
to lose but the blues!
Simplify your life: Get organised, try to cut down on clutter, and prioritise your
tasks. Many dreaded obligations are self-imposed. Remember you really don't have
to do everything.
Practise extreme self care: Make time to do what you love – go to the cinema or a
museum, curl up with a book or take a long hot bubble bath. Pamper yourself! This
is your life - enjoy it! Don't worry - the dishes aren't going to pack up and leave
town. Get plenty of sleep - exhaustion is a main factor in stress - and don't over
indulge. Enjoy all the holiday goodies, but do so in moderation. Add some moderate
exercise and you'll be healthier and have more energy.
Be thankful for the little things: Practise loving the simple things in life: playing
games with your children, taking a walk on a snowy winter morning, or cuddling your
dearest after everyone's in bed. When we open our hearts to happiness, we often find
that it's all around us.
Make peace with flexibility: Celebrate your successes and let the rest slide. Learn
to go with the flow. Take a breath, relax. ‘Don't sweat the small stuff’.
Embrace the spirit of the holidays: Greet each day with the holiday spirit and fill
your life with kindness, compassion, gratitude and love.
There may still be hectic moments and stressful events, but you can control the extent
to which you respond to them. Open yourself to the possibility that the holidays
can be joyous, and you might just find yourself whistling along with some of those
Christmas carols.
Arrange a FREE coaching session
Click here to arrange an introductory session to find out more.
A coach can help you find ways to improve the way you enjoy your holiday time and
relationships and in many other ways.
