A Merrier, Brighter You This Holiday Season
Celebrate the spirit of the season – it is the most wonderful time of the year.
As the year winds down and things get festive and fun, experience the true joy of the holiday season by getting into the Christmas spirit and taking steps to prioritize your well-being.
Incorporating self-care practices and carving out time for relaxation and social connections will help you navigate the season’s hecticness in healthy, joyous ways. And with a jingle in your step and kindness in your heart.
Practice gratitude. Focus on what’s meaningful rather than what’s missing. Sure, you could always have more, but you could always have less. Gratitude resets perspective and helps shift to appreciate the present. Slow down and pay attention. Cherish your blessings and find abundance in every moment.
Know what energizes you. Recognize which activities motivate, inspire and restore you — and which ones consistently drain you. Making time for enjoyable activities is an essential part of psychological well-being. See a play, host a holiday potluck or book a spa getaway – be sure to boost those happy hormones and make things more merry and bright.
Make time for genuine connection. Whether it’s a coffee with bestie or a quiet evening with loved ones doing a Christmas puzzle or watching a favourite holiday movie, a close connection fuels our hearts and souls. If distance or schedules make that impossible, then FaceTime with your favourites and make it memorable, silly and joyous with an ugly holiday sweater meetup or holiday trivia event.
Turn obligation into opportunity. Reframing invites and tasks into positive prospects can make things more enjoyable – and make you feel more fortunate that you’re invited. Instead of, “I have to bring a dessert to the office party,” shift your thinking to, “I get to share a new, delicious recipe with my colleagues.” Gratitude is linked to joy and connection.
Offer kindness. Small acts of kindness – helping a neighbour, visiting a seniors home, or giving someone grace – boost mood and resilience for both giver and receiver. And that is what the giving season is all about.
Give yourself the precious gift of self-care. Sleep, movement, and nourishment are fuel. Schedule short pauses, even five minutes of deep breathing or stretching, to reset throughout the day. Spend time in the fresh air – even if it is cold outside. Eat well, and enjoy festive foods and drinks in moderation.
Practice relaxation techniques. Self-care activities like meditation, yoga, journaling and deep breathing soothe the spirits and the senses. Slow down and experience serenity with a spa day, or a regular weekly or monthly massage. Get a manicure and pedicure. Make time for you.
Relive the wonderful memories of past holidays through the power of association. Make cookies from your childhood, watch a much-loved movie, listen to old Christmas music or read that cherished children’s book you so loved. Indulging in nostalgia will bring peace and joy to the holidays.
Create a cozy atmosphere with seasonal music. Nothing gets you quite into the mood like rocking around the Christmas tree. Upbeat, fun holiday tunes are energizing and instant mood lifters, whether baking, decorating or trimming the tree.
Boost your spirits by making your home smell like Christmas. Aromas have a magical way of bringing back lovely Christmas memories and creating new ones. Cinnamon, clove, evergreen and nutmeg are delightful scents that evoke the warmth of the holidays. Essential oil diffusers, scented candles or simmering aromatic spices on the stovetop will fill your home with festive aromas – breathe in the joy.
Be gentle with yourself this season. It is the season of kindness and giving after all. Save some of it for yourself and have the merriest Christmas ever.
