The holiday season can be a mix of stressors: financial pressure, crowded shopping centers, the quest for perfect entertaining or gift-giving, traveling, overeating or drinking, dealing with rarely seen relatives, and, for some, being alone while it feels like everyone else is celebrating.
This is where meditation really helps. It’s proven to reduce stress so we can feel somewhat calmer amidst the consumer frenzy around us. It also helps lessen depression for those who find the holidays to be a downer, promotes joy and other positive emotions, and boosts empathy and kindness, which is especially helpful when dealing with difficult family members.
Here are some tips to help you stay calm and positive during the holiday season:
Be Mindful of Your Purpose
Mindfulness, or observing our present-moment experience, is closely linked to a concept known as “mindfulness of purpose.” This helps connect us with the kind of life we want to create for ourselves. Remember that holidays are meant to develop spiritual values that enrich our lives. This can include rest, connection with others, gratitude, appreciation, and giving. It’s easy for things to get out of balance. For example, while it’s good to give gifts, this doesn’t mean much if we’re stressed and making our loved ones miserable. Reflect on what the holidays mean to you and keep that in mind to help you catch yourself when you’re acting in ways that go against your overall purpose.
Don’t Just Do Something, Sit There!
You might think the holiday season is a bad time to start meditating if you don’t have a practice already, or it could be tempting to stop if you do. However, regular meditation doesn’t need to take much time. Even five or ten minutes can bring more calm and balance into your life. Start or keep meditating!
Keep Coming Back to Compassion
Remember that everyone you meet is dealing with their own struggles. Remind yourself that those people who annoy you want to be happy and avoid suffering just like you. Bearing this in mind can help you be gentler and more understanding, reducing conflict and stress.
Forgive Yourself
Don’t stress about stressing out. When you lose your patience, remember that everyone slips up. When you feel frazzled, recognize this as a normal response to being overloaded. If things are hard, gently place a hand on your heart and tell yourself, “It’s OK. I care about you and want you to be happy. I forgive you.”
Be Kind in Crowds
Crowded malls can be stressful. Try repeating, “May we all be well and happy” as you navigate through the crowds. This can help replace those frustrating thoughts like, “Why can’t these people move faster!”
Take a Breath
Make a habit of returning to your breath. Paying attention to the sensations of your breathing can help you let go of stress-inducing thoughts, reducing your adrenaline. You can take mindful breaths while standing in line, on an escalator, in an elevator, or as a mini-break while cooking or wrapping gifts.
Remember Impermanence
A reminder that our time together on this planet is short can help you appreciate loved ones and be more patient with those you find difficult.
Lastly, meditation is a practice for life, not just for the holiday season. Keep up with your practice even after the holidays are over.