Well, it is that time of year. The hustle and bustle of the holidays is quickly creeping in. As we all know this time of the year can be very stressful. Getting the house ready, preparing the food, wrapping the gifts, entertaining, and the list goes on and on. Isn’t it sad though that at a time when we should be relaxing and enjoying our family and friends all we are are stressed out and making comments like “I can’t wait for this to be all over”? Why do we put so much stress on ourselves to have things look a certain way and be a certain way?
Of course we want things to be pretty, festive and enjoyable but at the same time we add “layers of stress” on ourselves. Why do we do this? Is it because we have to make a certain impression on the in-laws, do our egos get in the way by making sure little Bobbie or Suzie has the biggest and most expensive gift so that we keep up with the Jones’ down the street. This holiday season I would like you to try checking in with yourself and see what “layers of stress” you are adding to yourself and keeping you from truly enjoying the holiday season. In those moments that you are feeling overwhelmed, stop and check in with yourself; ask yourself why you are doing what you’re doing. See if what you are trying to accomplish is truly necessary and worth the stress. Remember your body is always talking to you and if you are feeling overwhelmed this is your body’s way of trying to tell you something isn’t right and that something may have to give.
On a different note, I wanted to briefly discuss a question that I typically get asked this time of year and that is “with all the food around during the holidays how do I keep from gaining weight and not be tempted to eat all the yummy desserts?” I am not a person who likes to say that it takes discipline and will power but I am a person who likes to say that we have choices. We can choose to eat the pumpkin pie or not choose to eat it. As many of you know who read this blog regularly Replenishing Soul is about teaching our clients how to listen to your body regardless of the time of year. Therefore, if you know what you are tempted to eat is going to make you gain weight, not feel good or cause you pain then you may want to think twice before eating it. On the other hand if you choose to eat it then you are saying yes to the consequences, remembering that this is what you chose and you need to be accepting of it. Remember it’s not about denying yourself or not being able to treat yourself and celebrate but it is about remembering that you have choices and those choices have consequences.
Below is short list of reminders to help you make this holiday season stress-less
1. Remember to check in with yourself. Become aware of what your feelings are trying to tell you.
2. Set boundaries for yourself—do not over-commit. When you have too much on your plate you are not living in the moment and enjoying life experiences to their fullest.
3. Ask for help—let go of being in control—involve the family and start making fun memories!
4. Prepare food that makes you feel good- if you are going to a party and you know there are foods such as gluten or dairy that make you not feel well, then prepare a plate that you know you can eat and share it at the party.
5. Remembering that you have choices—not only choices in food but choices in life. Start doing things that make you feel good not bad.
6. Focus on things that make you truly happy—for each person this may be a little different but remember it’s not the material things that make us happy. Material things make you happy for a short period of time. Go deep and see what feelings are attached to those material things that you are earning for.
Happy Holidays!