I see you. Photo credit: viviphotography.net
Getting ready for the holidays? Are you excited, hopeful or just wanting the holidays to be over and done with as soon as possible?
I see you.
With so many lists, family dynamics, wants and needs to take care of, at times it feels like an epic military campaign involving strategies and plays that would impress even the most distinguished of generals.
We roll up our sleeves and battle through to-do lists, long lines at stores, fatigue, and burn the midnight oil. The level of focus required to buy the right gifts, white elephants and maintain a happy demeanor can be too much.
This pressure causes our bodies to squeeze, releasing stress hormones. The body interprets all this as a threat to its life. Pretty intense reaction to simply shopping for food and decorating a tree, right? Well, it is what it is and without solid techniques to relax, it won’t be fun.
Today, I want to share a couple of techniques that will ease the burden we all seem to bear during the season of giving.
If you are starting to feel a tightness or ache in your neck and shoulders or if the full weight of all those things you have to do has already begun to overwhelm you, here are 2 easy steps to bring relief and energize your day.
1a Say it out loud – Clearly, state what you are feeling. Frustrated? Tired? Feeling it’s unfair ie why do I have to do everything? Anxious, sad or isolated? It’s important to locate what we are feeling in the vast ocean of emotions. By locating and identifying what we are feeling we can orient ourselves and find our way home. If we don’t know where we are and what’s happening within us we can’t turn things around. Say it out loud. Write it down. It’ll feel better, I promise.
1b Say what you want – “I want to feel peaceful, this holiday for the family get together.” “I want to feel exhilarated.” “I want to have some magical moments.” Take some time to contemplate what you would like to experience over the holidays and prioritize creating these experiences for yourself. If going for a walks makes you feel peaceful add those to your calendar. If you want to feel exhilarated add a snowball fight or an adventure that opens your eyes and heart to your list of activities. Make it happen. You know you can.
2 It’s bigger than you are – it’s ok to admit that it’s bigger than you are, that you can’t control it all and that you want to give up. Take a moment, sit down, sigh and place your forehead on the floor. In yoga, this is known as the child’s pose. It is a restful pose that releases stress.
Child’s pose. Artist unknown to me. It’s beautiful.
When I do this pose, I let go and surrender to the universe all the responsibilities, fears and anxieties I carry. I admit that I cannot do it all. A feeling of humility comes over me that helps me reprioritize what’s truly important to me and what I want to achieve in that moment.
It opens the possibility for my intentions to match my actions. I love the clarity that arises with this pose.
And that brings me to my final piece: a gift from me to YOU. I want to thank you for sharing this inner journey with me and for being willing to engage in life using consciousness as a tool for your wellbeing and prosperity. Thank you, my dearest trailblazers!
Click here and download your copy of Surviving Holidays – 12 Meditations. It will help you to lighten your days and to navigate difficult situations. It’ll nudge you towards joy and gratitude, bring light into your heart and peace to your desires. Download now! Get it for yourself and loved ones.
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Let’s make the making of this holiday season a freedom exercised with joy!