The holiday season can be a recipe for stress: financial pressure, crowded shopping centers, the pursuit of perfection in hosting or gift-giving, travel, overindulgence in food and alcohol, dealing with rarely-seen relatives, and for some, being alone while everyone else is celebrating.
Meditation can be a big help during this time! It’s known to reduce stress, helping us stay calm while the holiday madness swirls around us. It can also diminish depression for those who find the season challenging. Meditation promotes joy and other positive emotions, and it boosts empathy and kindness, which can be a blessing when handling difficult family members.
Here are some tips to help you stay calm and positive during the holidays:
Be Mindful of Your Purpose
Mindfulness involves being aware of the present moment and is closely tied to a concept called “mindfulness of purpose.” This helps us align with the life we want to create. Remember that holidays are meant to be “holy days,” designed to foster spiritual values that enhance our lives. This doesn’t necessarily mean going to a place of worship; it could simply involve resting, connecting with others, experiencing gratitude, and giving. Sometimes, we lose balance. For instance, giving gifts is great, but it doesn’t mean much if we’re so stressed that we make everyone around us unhappy.
Reflect on what the holidays mean to you and keep that in mind. This can help you recognize when your actions are undermining your overall purpose.
Don’t Just Do Something, Sit There!
If you don’t meditate already, you might think the holiday season is a bad time to start. Conversely, if you do have a practice, it’s tempting to stop when things get hectic. But meditation doesn’t have to be time-consuming. Even five or ten minutes can bring more calm and balance into your life. So, start (or continue) meditating!
Keep Coming Back to Compassion
Remember that everyone you meet is facing their own struggles. Reminding yourself of this can make you more compassionate and understanding towards others, which in turn can reduce conflict and stress.
Forgive Yourself
Don’t stress about stressing out! Everyone loses their patience from time to time. When you feel overwhelmed, acknowledge that this is a normal human reaction. Be kind to yourself and practice self-forgiveness.
Be Kind in Crowds
When you’re in a packed mall, it’s easy to get irritated by slow-moving people. Try repeating to yourself, “May we all be well and happy” as you navigate through the crowd. This can help replace those frustrating thoughts.
Take a Breath
Make it a habit to focus on your breathing. This can help release stress-inducing thoughts and reduce adrenaline levels. You can take a few mindful breaths while waiting in line, on an escalator, in an elevator, or even while cooking or wrapping gifts.
Remember Impermanence
Keeping in mind that our time with others is limited can help you appreciate loved ones more and be patient with those who challenge you.
Finally, remember that a meditation practice is for life, not just for the holiday season. Keep meditating even after the holidays are over.