The holidays… for some a time of celebration and gathering together, for others a difficult time of melancholy or sadness, for many a time of self-imposed and unnecessary stress. We asked some local wellness practitioners for their advice on being kind to yourself this holiday season no matter how you choose to spend it. (With thanks to Warren Broad, Allie Chisholm-Smith, Kelly Hammond, Jewel Nurse-Hutchins, Karen Patterson, and Julie Veitch for their contributions.)
Meditation is a vacation for your brain
Kelly Hammond
omhealthandwellness.com
In this busy, competitive, social media-driven world, we often find ourselves caught up in the apparent glorified lives of others. We compare our families, our weight, our nutritional choices and our homes to those photoshopped and enhanced, staged and exaggerated, and then the negative talk takes over and the frustration sets in.
We need to stop being so hard on ourselves and realize that no one is perfect, there are no perfect families who make perfect meals all the time, with perfectly clean and decorated homes for the holidays. Most people are just as scattered and stressed and wondering how they are going to fit everything into their busy days. Just. Like. You.
So when that stress level starts to rise because you have 14 more things to get finished by tomorrow and you don’t know where to begin…just stop! The world will not fall apart if you shut down for 5 or 10 minutes and take time to breathe, and I mean that literally…just stop and breathe. Meditation is the vacation your brain is looking for. Consistent meditation improves mood and cognitive function, increases your focus, and decreases anxiety along with so many more benefits to both your body and brain. So find a quiet space, close your eyes and take that time just for you. You will find yourself more organized and efficient and in a much better mood to handle it when Aunt Doris shows up at your door unexpectedly Christmas Eve!
Ten tips to keep stress and anxiety away
Warren Broad
warrenbroad.com
1. Plan ahead
Set aside time for shopping, plan baking and meals, and grocery shop in advance.
2. Take a breather
Allow yourself some serenity: time for a quiet bath, to catch up with a friend, or to go see a movie will refresh you.
3. Stick to a budget
An avalanche of gifts won’t buy happiness and will cause stress if you’ll struggle to pay for them later.
4. Say NO!
You can’t please everyone. It’s not selfish to say no to the neighbour’s party or the trip out of town. If you can’t, what else can you give up?
5. Accept what you can’t change
If something is out of your control, finding acceptance will give you peace.
6. Stop doing things that sap your time
Shortcuts are okay! Do a gift exchange to cut down on shopping or buy goodies instead of baking.
7. Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Eat well, exercise, get some sleep and control alcohol intake. The holidays aren’t an excuse to overindulge or stop your fitness routine.
8. Be realistic & delegate
A heavy load of responsibilities can lead to resentment and exhaustion. Turn some tasks over to family members – including the kids!
9. Don’t try to create a fairytale
Don’t pin your happiness on perfection. Your guests won’t be heartbroken if the turkey turned out a little dry or there were lumps in the mashed potatoes.
10. Focus on gratitude
Never underestimate the power of gratitude to bring a feeling of peace. Stop and think of something you are grateful for – you probably don’t have to dig very deep to find it.
Create what’s good enough
Karen Patterson, BA AccFM
muskokafamilyworks.com
So many of us go into the holiday season with dreams of perfection. We’re constantly shown images of the “perfect” home, the “perfect” family, the “perfect” experience. We feel like we’ve failed somehow if we aren’t able to create that level of perfection. It’s time to be kind and gentle to ourselves. Give yourself permission to create what’s good enough. Create a tradition around your authentic reality. Christmas isn’t a time to fake it. Trying to be someone else is too stressful. Give yourself the gift of accepting you, your family, your life just the way it is. You’ll find that the season will be much more rewarding if you do.
Six tips for self-care
Julie Veitch, CPCC
innerccorecoach.com
1. Make contact
Our body craves 2 minutes of physical contact a day which releases positive brain chemicals that increases your serotonin. Hug someone!
2. Move your body
Movement changes your perspective, helps you detoxify, enhances your body function and energy level. This translates to increased emotional and physical well-being, and your ability handle outside stressors.
3. Breathe
Breathing immediately awakens your body and causes it to relax. We all tend to contract our belly when we inhale. Instead, consciously expand your belly with the inhale, and you will notice a greater sense of ease.
4. Rest your body, rest your mind
Take time to stop and be here now. Stilling your mind and body will help you to let the thoughts of past and future diminish, and to mentally and physically rest in the now.
5. Acknowledge yourself
Take stock of 2016 and put things into perspective! Write a list of your accomplishments, triumphs, storms you’ve weathered, and celebrate how far you’ve come AND learn from your mistakes.
6. Fill your own cup
“Self care is not selfish, you cannot serve from an empty vessel.” ~Eleanor Brownn.
Take time for yourself to fill your own bucket first, which will allow you to show up fully for others.
Remember to breathe
Allie Chisholm-Smith, MES, E-RYT
ahimsa.ca
This season can be so busy, difficult emotionally and over-stimulating, plus our world is really tumultuous. We need to take care so that we can keep anxiety in check and illness at bay.
Here is my remedy:
Get out a pad of sticky notes and on five of them, write the word breathe and decorate them beautifully. Put them on the fridge, your computer, your phone, your steering wheel and your bathroom mirror. Every time you see those notes, you will remember, Breathe, this is just a moment.
Breathing mindfully triggers our relaxation response in our lower lungs and calms fight or flight in our upper lungs. Our inner organs are massaged by the diaphragm and inspired to function again.
It is all that you need…. It is enough…
Carve out time for self-care
Jewel Nurse-Hutchins
True You Yoga
December can be stressful. With all the festivities, over-eating and commitments people tend to become overwhelmed. So, carving out time for self-care should be on top of your Christmas list!
If you haven’t already, the winter months are a great time to escape within and create a daily yoga practice. This personal practice not only improves muscle quality and joint mobility but also calms the nervous system and increases focus and concentration. Whether following an instructor in class or private one-on-one sessions at your home or office, the benefits of yoga become apparent very quickly. Every BODY experiences the practice and postures differently. There is no need for fancy equipment, just a mat. Your body is the greatest piece of equipment you will ever use and yoga enhances your connection between mind, body, emotion and energy, therefore enhancing self-awareness.
Top 10 reminders for 2017:
1. Food is medicine
2. Nature heals
3. Owning your past creates your future
4. Children are teachers
5. Stillness creates clarity
6. Love well
7. Miracles surround you
8. Surrender ego
9. Every moment holds a fresh, new, spontaneous beginning
10. Everyone is worthy
Wishing you a healthy, happy and content holiday season!
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What a great site to discover events and activities within the community. Such a lively community offering great options for an active lifestyle. We plan to retire here from North Bay and look forward to being part of the community.