“May you have warmth in your igloo, oil in your lamp, and peace in your heart!”
Inuit proverb
The holidays are here.
It is a time for relaxation and time to spend with those closest to you.
Stress and worry. It is not the time you hoped for, or was promised by movies and advertising that exude joy.
You might feel mixed emotions.
So today I would like to share 5 powerful and timeless tips that can help you to make the holidays – and 2023 too – a more joyful and peaceful time.
1. Slow down.
“For fast-acting relief, try slowing down.”
Lily Tomlin
Slow down. It doesn’t matter if it feels silly or if you have the need to force it, slow down. Slow down and move slowly.
Breathe slower, more deeply and with your belly. Try this for two minutes and you’ll be amazed at what happens.
Slow down eating. This will allow you to relax and help you not overeat during holidays. Your brain takes approximately 20 minutes to register that your stomach is full.
Slow down, pay attention and slow down.
Concentrate on just one thing at the time, and be here now.
By slowing down, by being here now, by not having your focus split between many things you – your body and your mind – start to relax.
2. Be grateful for the little things, not perfection.
“Nobody can be uncheered with a balloon.”
Winnie the Pooh
Daily happiness is a lot about appreciating small things.
Allow yourself to be happy when you reach a major goal or when everything works out perfectly, and you will not make your life more difficult than it should be.
Instead, you should be able to appreciate the things that you take for granted.
Find things in your daily life that you can now appreciate.
If you want a handful of suggestions, here are a few of the things that I like to appreciate around the holidays:
- All the delicious food.
- My health.
- My family and my friends.
- As the snow falls and the cold winds blow, I am safe and secure.
- Winter landscapes are breathtaking.
3. Give joy to someone you care about.
“Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
Although it may sound cliché, this is a powerful concept that works. Making others happy is one of the best ways you can be happier.
It is easy to feel, see and hear happiness when someone makes you happy. That happy feeling will flow back to you.
There is an additional upside to the Law of Reciprocity. People will feel like they are giving back to your company.
Or, like giving it to someone else.
You two or more of you continue to build a positive spiral of optimism, of helping out and of supporting others.
4. Concentrate on the most important things.
“You can never get enough of what you don’t need to make you happy.”
Eric Hoffer
“Joy is not in things; it is in us.”
Benjamin Franklin
Instead of focusing too much on all the things you don’t need, think about what is most important to you.
You may still have Christmas gifts that you want to buy, but instead of buying a lot of expensive items it might be more beneficial to gift one item that the recipient will really appreciate.
Perhaps you can give away a gift that isn’t physical. Give away an experience that will make a lasting memory and create a special day for them or you.
Whatever way you decide to approach the holidays, make sure it is YOUR choice and not some set of rules that will make you feel defeated.
5. Accept the way you feel right now.
“We cannot change anything until we accept it. Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses.”
Carl Jung
Perhaps you’ll try one of the tips.
But they can’t make you forget the negative thoughts, worries and stress that you carry around. The best thing to do is accept the feelings.
You can tell yourself, “This is how I feel right now.”
This may sound counterintuitive, and you might feel like you’re giving up.
Accepting what you feel, rather than resisting it, can reduce the emotional energy you put into the conflict or problem.
The car loses its speed as if it runs out of gas.
Sometimes, the conflict or problem will become so weak that you forget about it.
Accepting what is, you are now able to free up energy and focus your attention to allow your mind to become more open-minded, level-headed and constructive.
This allows you to see the problem clearly and take action towards a solution.
