How to Rest and Reset for the New Year During the Holidays
Glendon student Naima Sood shares her advice on de-stressing over your holiday break.
Ah, the holiday season... when did it transform from fun to stress?! Reminds me of the movie Home Alone... the stress of travel and holidays made the family forget the little boy, but his wonderful attitude and mindfulness got him through his adventures — and some sticky situations.
Similarly, when the holiday season descends upon us, the excitement rises along with the things to do — lists, plans, shopping, waiting, line-ups, crowds, food, drinks, friends, family, and more. Phew! It's exhausting just thinking about it.
As a student at the Glendon Campus of York University in Toronto, whether I want to attend the Christmas market or go ice-skating at Nathan Phillips Square, all those arrangements need to be made well in advance. By the time you plan the event and go for the celebration you are already exhausted and have to refocus just to enjoy the holidays with your loved ones.
How do I deal with this?
- A nice cup of hot chocolate is a good way to take time out and *literally* savour the moment. Chocolate has the right ingredients that makes the body and mind relax. Gazing up at the holiday decorations in your home with a soulful cup (see my favourite hot chocolate recipe here) makes the holidays more inviting and exciting
- One of the ways I love to de-stress during the holidays is reading a romantic Christmas novel at the library
- Sitting near Glendon Campus' beautiful rose garden in a meditative posture and channelling a positive aura for the new year
How to practice mindfulness
The holidays are a balancing act: a time when you take some time off to relax and set yourself up for the next year, while at the same time taking part in all the important holiday events. Mindfulness teaches us how to stay calm during stressful times. One technique that's commonly recommended in mindfulness practice is noticing and labeling.
So, during the stressful event you mentally notice what appears in your experience and then label it. The idea is that as you meditate, you notice your feelings and sensations, then label them, without judgment. You notice the feeling, label it, then let it go. This practice can be hugely powerful as you build up your experience. For example:
- Your inner talk may be something like this:
- "Anger"
- "Stomach butterflies"
- "Light headed"
- "Shallow breath" (a good reminder to breathe more deeply)
"By acknowledging the fact you feel something unpleasant, you're accepting and not repressing it." -Jimmy Wightman, "That Meditation Guy"
How to work on your breathwork
Breathwork is an essential practice to help you overcome anxiety. The Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh has a lovely meditation practice of simply building awareness of the breath. Mentally whisper to yourself "I am aware that I am" as you breathe in, and when breathing out, whisper "I am aware I am." All the while, you're focusing on the rise and fall of your belly with each breath. This simple habit can calm your stressed out nerves.
These practices help to regulate your nervous system. When the nervous system is in balance, we tend to act more logically, rationally, and calmly. This holiday season, recharge yourself by slowing down and enjoying the little moments. Making it more about Being than Doing.
Gift yourself a stress-free Christmas
Instead of stressing about all the shopping I need to do, and spending hours at the Yonge and Eglinton mall, trying to find the perfect gift, I'll take this holiday season to recharge by changing my attitude. After all, the holidays are supposed to be enjoyable!
Be kind to yourself and bring your family and close friends together to practice mindfulness and ways of being that make you happy this new year.
Why don't we gift ourselves and our loved ones:
It's not about the money you spend on gifts and decorations. Make this year about you and finding your inner calm.
Be sure that you're able to slow down and de-stress this holiday season. Change the way you look at the holidays by enjoying the festive season with your loved ones. Spend quality time with them!
Make the most of your time while you're able, and most importantly, enjoy your holiday!
Check out the Mayo Clinic's beginner's guide to meditation
