How to Avoid Overwhelm and Fully Enjoy This Holiday Season

"Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow is a mystery.
Today is a gift, that's why it's called the present." - Kungfu Panda

It's crazy times, and it has never been easier for us to escape into a Netflix binge-watch or an hour-long scrolling through social media to escape the reality. While I don't believe that there is a "right" or "wrong" here, and I absolutely believe in a mindful Christmas movie marathon (have you watched Single All The Way yet?), it is all about finding the balance.

Typical escape mechanisms during the holidays

The key word here is: Awareness.

Are you aware of the fact that you're escaping from family gatherings (even if you're still sitting at the table!), disengaging from the conversations while texting with people who are not there? Or do you only notice 30 minutes in that you've been on autopilot grabbing your phone to return to the funny reels and silly memes?

The question is whether or not you are aware of it or if everything happens unconsciously and automatic. Where we want you to be? In the present, aware of what you're doing (yes, even if you consciously choose to binge-watch Christmas movies!).

Remaining present is the ultimate Christmas gift you can make yourself

We are not at all fan of forbidding ourselves things that bring us joy (not at all!), like a glamorous holiday rom-com can. Once you are aware of your habits and behaviors, you can show up to yourself with love and kindness.

So, how are you going to remain present over the holidays? Are you going to lock your laptop in a drawer? Are you going to keep your phone turned off most of the time to be present with those around you?

Or will you insta-story every magical moment? Text your friends who aren't there instead of being with who's with you in the same room? Lay on the couch after dinner and just scroll up with your thumb until midnight? Get sucked into a Netfilx marathon that you don't even notice until it's 2am again?

I am inviting you to remain present and not escape from reality in these coming days - even if reality is pretty hard, challenging, painful, confusing or overwhelming for your right now. Love yourself. Be kind to yourself. You know how to!

3 steps for you to remain present and keep your glow high during the holidays

#1: Get enough sleep

I probably sound like a broken record by now, but if you're not well-rested, you're more likely to end up scrolling in bed, or falling asleep to a movie on the couch, because your body is tired and not fully recharged. So how do you get enough sleep? It’s really simple:

1. Remember how many hours of sleep are great for you. 7? 8.5? Only you know.

2. Stick to a more or less strict sleep schedule and go to bed around the same time every day for your body to get into a healthy rhythm. What time is that for you?

#2: Gratitude

While there will always be plenty of things that can feel annoying or upsetting (especially with family around all the time), make an effort to focus on what is going well. Focus on the abundance you already have instead of what you haven't achieved yet. Be grateful for the big and small things.

How do you do that? Write down 5 things you are grateful for today. Repeat as often as you like, ideally daily.

#3: Single-pointed focus

Most perfectionists are multitaskers, and the more things you focus on at the same time, the more overwhelmed you will end up feeling mentally. By focusing on only one thing at a time (e.g. eating dinner with your family) instead of doing several things simultaneously (e.g. watching a movie while scrolling through Instagram), you will

1. be present and aware of what you are doing vs. noticing it an hour later

2. feel mentally clearer and more peaceful

3. feel less overwhelmed and less nervous

Will you try it this week?

Today is a gift.
Tomorrow is never promised.
Be here now.

Have a beautiful holiday season!

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