5 steps to a new Mental state…this Christmas
The festive season is a time of great fun and cheer. But with all the present shopping, party planning, Christmas cooking—not to mention all our everyday responsibilities and commitments—the holidays can quickly turn into a major source of stress for many.
That’s why, at this time of year, it’s wise to dedicate a little energy to your personal self-care. Some people might equate self-care with expensive days at the spa or a luxurious weekend break. But in truth, you can do a lot to protect and recharge your mental and emotional wellbeing through simple tips and tricks that you can practice anywhere and at any time.
Improve your breathing technique
Breathing affects our physical and mental state of being. It can calm you, put you in a focused state, or even fill you up with lots of energy. Most of us aren’t aware that by making simple changes to our breathing patterns we can better support ourselves throughout the day.
A breathing exercise I love to recommend (and practice) is to take a deep breath in through the nose for four counts and out for eight or even twelve. This exercise helps push out all that excessive oxygen pent up in our body, which activates our survival instinct and puts us in a state of anxiety. It’s a quick and easy exercise to do at any time of day, whether you’re at a dreaded work-do or a particularly rowdy family lunch. After a minute or so, it will really help you relax and ease into the present moment.
Set aside a little time to be grateful
At Christmas, it’s easy to get caught up in all the things we want or don’t have, all those fantastic events we’re missing out on, all the fun things our friends are up to on social media. So, when you’re experiencing similar feelings of anxiety and FOMO, I recommend practising gratefulness. Gratefulness is the appreciation of what is, rather than focusing on what is not. It’s the acknowledgment of the things we have in our lives that we tend to take for granted—the roof over our heads, our friends and families, and the fact that we’re able to enjoy another Christmas.
A simple exercise I love to recommend is to take some time out of your day to write down three things you’re grateful for at that point in time. Take a moment to reflect on your day and find instances to be thankful for. These could be anything—a simple gesture of kindness from a colleague, a surprise present, a delicious meal you enjoyed, getting to spend time with your kids or closest friends. Over time, this exercise will help train and rewire the mind to enter a state of appreciation so that you can more fully enjoy the genuine beauty of life around you.
Learn to accept your family’s foibles
Families tend to butt heads, especially around the Christmas holidays for some funny reason. There’s always that sibling who knows how to push your buttons or that mother-in-law who ends up hurting your feelings somehow. If that feels all too familiar, then I’d suggest protecting yourself by teaching yourself to accept your family’s foibles and shortcomings. From my experience working with people from all walks of life, I have come to realise that most people act with good intentions but may not be equipped with the emotional intelligence to express themselves properly. So, by remembering to accept your family for who they are, good and bad, you’ll start to recognise their words and actions are less about you and more a reflection of their upbringings and life experiences. It’s a great way to better enjoy being in their presence more fully.
Do something fun just for you
Yes, this is the season to spend time with your nearest and dearest, but it’s equally important to enjoy some quality “me time”. So, during the holidays carve out some time for something fun that’s just for you. Whether it’s dedicating an afternoon to focus on a hobby, getting stuck in that book or series that you’ve been wanting to start, heading out for a long walk in the countryside, or trying your hand at something entirely new, give yourself space to unwind and have fun just for the fun of it.
Connect genuinely
In a world of social media and phones, many of us find it increasingly difficult to meet our real human needs. This leads many of us to feeling incredible lonely, even when we’re surrounded by people and good cheer. Sometimes we forget that we are social animals, and that no text messages or status updates can replace genuine human connection.
So, I’d suggest doing a little experiment over the holidays. Try switching your attention away from your phone and towards the people around you. Look up and smile at passers-by. Try share a little chit-chat with strangers while waiting in the queue at the shops. Reach out to friends you haven’t seen in a long while for a coffee and catch up. As much as possible, try to be truly open and present during any social interactions. These genuine connections, no matter how fleeting, can really make your day and turn your Christmas into a truly special experience.
Article published in Vamp Magazine, printed edition issued in December 2022. vamp.com.mt