The best chance of having those “magical” holiday moments starts with a healthy, in-the-moment, you.The most cherished Holiday moments – the amazing, magical, meaningful ones that become stories retold with laughter and tears year after year- help us remember how much we love each other, how wonderful it is to be connected, and how sweet life can be.
Close your eyes and think of a “magical” memory right now. You might be able to conjure the feeling of warmth, a specific smell, taste, or sound. It might involve seeing a loved one in a new way, bright flickering candles, beautiful falling snowflakes, singing or listening to traditional music, or tasting a delicious holiday dish. These are the moments many people long for and try to re-create each Holiday Season.
These incredible moments can often seem far away and disconnected from the mundane worries and tasks of everyday life and holiday stressors. However, the joy and wonder are often intertwined with many mundane tasks. Being present allows you to recognize and participate in these moments while they are occurring.Those beautiful moments are more prone to happen when your body-mind-spirit system is getting the balanced attention it deserves. Taking care of our bodies (sleep, nutrition, exercise) is necessary in order to be present and available to ourselves and others. Taking care of and sharing our must-do tasks (putting gas in the car, washing clothes, grocery shopping, preparing dinner for our guests, bringing out the folding chairs, wrapping gifts, etc.) sets the stage for conversation and meaningful connection.
It is even more important in the midst of this busy, wonderful season, not to forget about your own basic needs for physical and mental wellbeing. In order to be available for the “magical” moments, it’s necessary to attend to our own needs.
Some areas to focus on include:
Some areas to focus on include:
- Sleep – Prioritize sleep! It impacts almost everything including our energy level, mood, and ability to concentrate.
- Hydration – Getting enough fluids (and not the alcoholic kind) can serve as a quick break when you are busy, help avoid headaches, and reduce fatigue.
- Nutrition/Food – Don’t forget to eat! We need healthy fuel to keep going.
- Physical activity – Exercise is so helpful for reducing stress, improving mood, and increasing energy.
- Connection with others – Spending time with others, connecting with them, and enjoying the people in our lives is vital to our wellbeing.
- Relaxation – Doing things that calm our nervous system, helps us to restore and recover from the challenges of life.
- Honesty – Being realistic and kind to yourself by setting limits on how much you can do. Being willing to say “No” or “No, thank you” or “Not right now, can we plan that for a different time?” can really help protect our balance.
- Reflection – Taking care of ourselves involves knowing our needs, being aware of what’s uplifting and what’s depleting, thinking about ways to address concerns, and turning towards our struggle with compassion and kindness.
If you notice that you aren’t enjoying things the way that you had hoped, take a pause, and check in with your body and consider:- Did I get enough sleep last night?
- Did I eat anything today?
- Do I need a drink of water?
- Would I feel better if I went for a walk or a run?
- Do I need to write my thoughts in a journal, meditate, or talk to a friend?
- Would it help to do something relaxing?
- And, if you are feeling overwhelmed, grumpy, or frustrated, check in with your mind and spirit—do I need more support?
Checking in with ourselves can help to identify a way to address the concerns and avoid potentially damaging our relationships.
Wellbeing is an everyday, ongoing, and effortful process. Taking care of our basic needs is the only way we can be available to take care of others. During the Holidays and all the days, taking care of our basic needs for physical and mental wellbeing is how we can show up for the opportunities to connect and contribute to the welfare of others. It is also the way to experience the amazing, magical, and meaningful moments.
