✨Solstice Blessing and Tips to Shine Through the Holidays✨
✨Happy Solstice and Holiday Greetings to you and yours.
Enjoy the season of love and light.✨
As the southern hemisphere celebrates the start of summer, those of us living in the northern hemisphere will experience the shortest day of the year. The winter solstice has arrived, and December 21 is the first day of winter.
The word “solstice” derives from sol, the Latin word for sun, and sistere,
which means “to come to a stop or make a stand.”
The solstice occurs around the world. It is when the sun reaches its lowest or highest point in the sky during the year as a result of the Earth’s axis tilting to or away from the sun. It’s all about the light.
It can be hard to slow down and take time for yourself during the holiday season. With so many things to do and so little time, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and forget to take care of yourself.
The holidays are meant to be the most wonderful time of the year, but for some people, they can be overly stressful. Dealing with relatives who seem to criticize everything, keeping up with all the activities, and worrying about the weather can cause stress. Check out these ten mindful tips that will help you enjoy the holidays.
Let Go of Perfection
If you have this idea of perfection when it comes to the holidays (dreaming of a white Christmas), let that go! No doubt, something will go wrong during the holidays. Having a sense of humor and not letting it ruin the whole occasion can make the holidays way more fun. The holiday season is not about being perfect; it's about enjoying time with loved ones and creating memories. So don't sweat the small stuff; instead, marvel at the imperfection!
Give Yourself Space
Being "on" all the time during the holidays can drive anyone insane. Make it your goal to have at least 15 minutes to be alone and recharge each day. Take a walk around the block, meditate, or lock everyone out of your room for a few minutes. Make time for things that make you happy. Whether reading, biking, or taking a nature walk, find activities that bring you joy and schedule them into your week.
Find Your Buffer
If you don't get along with your in-laws, it may be time to set up that buffer. Set up a code word with your spouse to let them know you need intervention when your mother-in-law starts criticizing your food or Aunt Sally grills you about your personal life.
Eat Healthily
With all the planning that goes into making the holidays perfect, it is hard to sit down and eat. And when you do it, it may be fruit cake or gingerbread. Eating healthy meals gives you time to recharge and gives you the nutrients you need to get through the holidays.
Drink Water
While many parties may encourage you to drink lots of alcohol, take the time to stay hydrated with good old-fashioned water. Keep alcohol to a minimum, as that can make you feel moody, lead you to say inappropriate things, and make you lethargic later on if you drink too much.
Get Enough Sleep
With a million things on your plate, it may seem impossible to lie down and get enough sleep at night. Too much food and alcohol have an adverse effect on your beauty rest. The holiday pace can affect our sleep schedules, but you must try your best to get back on a good sleep schedule. This will help you feel refreshed and ready to take on the day.
Exercise More
Physical activity will help stimulate the brain chemicals that make you relax and feel happier than before. It will also remind you to be mindful of what you consume. Take half an hour each day to exercise vigorously and see what a great buffer it can be to help reduce the stress and burn those extra calories.
Make Meaningful Connection
Take some time during the holidays to form a deep connection with others. Invite a friend or family member over, someone who tends to fill you up when everything else is draining you out. The holidays are perfect for working on some of these meaningful connections. No need to spend time with drainers. Like I always say, compost what does not serve you and nourish what does.
Be present in your interactions with others. When talking to someone, really listen to what they're saying instead of thinking about what you'll say next. This will help you connect with people on a deeper level.
Acknowledge the Feelings and be Mindful
Sadness can be expected during the holidays, but most people do not want to admit they feel this way. Forcing happiness on yourself can make the situation worse. Find healthy ways to distract yourself, be active, and enjoy the season to create happy memories.
Let's face it, everyone feels stressed around the holidays because there is so much to do. If the holidays bring out a lot of anxiety and sadness each year, you may need to seek support from a mental health professional. They can give you a good plan and lots of advice to handle the holidays and to help reduce the stress you feel. There is no shame in asking for help.
Pay attention to your senses. Being mindful of the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes around you. This will help you appreciate all the wonderful things about this time of year. Take a few minutes each day to sit quietly, focus on your breath, and be mindful. Staying aware of each moment and all that is happening in it. Not only will this help you relax, but it will also give you a break from all the holiday madness.
When mindful, we take note of our thoughts and feelings without getting caught up in them. We simply observe them and let them go. This can help us to avoid getting caught up in the holiday drama and instead focus on the things that truly matter. So during this holiday season, take a few moments each day to practice mindfulness and let go of the season's stresses.
Sometimes it's best to come to a stop or make a stand.
There are many benefits of mindfulness, including reducing stress and anxiety, improving your mood, and promoting better sleep. Being aware of your thoughts and emotions without getting wrapped up in them. When you're mindful, you can savor the good moments and let go of the bad ones.
Follow some of the simple tips above and see how easy it is to reduce stress and enjoy the holidays more than ever.
I am so glad we had this time together and
grateful for our meaningful connection.
✨Happy Holidays to you and yours!✨
I’ll see you next Year 💕
🥰 A Dose of Positivity
See you all this Thursday for another supreme Dose of Positivity with me! Join me with a cup of cocoa, tea or bubbly for some holiday cheers and conversation to have a stress free and magnificent holiday! ✨🎄
Need some Mama Donna love? 🥰
