Freedom from Holiday Stress – Part 1

Nov 18, 2013 | Mindfulness, Personal Growth

Christmas Tree
Greetings!
Holidays are here. It is a bit alarming to me when the Christmas decorations are up before the Halloween decor is off the shelves…to me it is a sign of consumerism. Pushing goods…more stuff…a lot of waste…and a loss of connection.
For the past 6 years, I have lived the winter holiday season as honestly as I can.
I even spent Christmas day alone one year. It was a bit sad, but it was honest.
 
It’s not always fun to say no to perceived obligations or ask family and friends to refrain from giving gifts; however, it sure has made Thanksgiving and Christmas more honest. More real. More true.
Holiday stress (just like chronic stress) comes from actions that are disconnected from your heart.  
 
Read below for 4 tips on how to be free from holiday stress this year. And be on the look-out because 4 more tips are coming your way next week (part 2 of this series).
For those of you who want more connection during the holidays and less stress and want some support in the process, I have a special holiday offer for you below.
Read on…
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 4 TIPS TO EXPERIENCE
FREEDOM FROM HOLIDAY STRESS
(part 1)

No. 1

  • Establish Your Vision & Values – This is the first step of my coaching process with private clients and it is the first step to take as you approach the holidays. Name/write/draw how you want to BE during the holidays. Types of ‘being’ include: frantic, peaceful, angry, open-hearted, loving, withdrawn.

Align your actions with the way you want to BE…if you find it difficult to do that or don’t know how, keep reading…

No. 2

  • Choose Activity out of Choice, Not Obligation – Holidays are a busy time. Before filling up your calendar with activity, challenge the assumption of what you ‘need,’ ‘have to,’ or ‘should’ attend. Yes, work and family gatherings are a choice. What sensations in the body do you experience when thinking about engaging in a holiday activity? How does this align with your vision of how you want to BE? If you experience compression, tightness, light-headedness, cold, flush, buzzing, or numbness, this may be a sign that you are out of alignment.
No. 3
  • To Confront or Not to Confront Aunt Edna? – Hey, Aunt Edna (or whoever this relative is for you) drives you nuts. She pushes your buttons. It’s been this way for as long as you remember. You prepare weeks in advance for what you are going to say to stand up for yourself OR you practice your fake smile and nod to let it pass. There is no easy answer here, especially in a short newsletter. Food for thought though is what does Aunt Edna represent in your life? If she pushes your buttons, what are you tolerating elsewhere that triggers the same response?Aunt Edna may be reflecting what you’ve buried down in your ‘regular’ life that wants attention. Thanks for the gift and always a pleasure, Aunt Edna. 🙂
No. 4
  • Only the Turkey Needs Stuffing – There is a lot of stuffing during November and December. Stuffing the stockings, stuffing your belly, stuffing the bank accounts of merchants, stuffing your friends and families’ houses with gifts and food, stuffing the gifts you received in closets, and maybe even stuffing your true feelings. What type of stuffing aligns with how you want to BE during the holidays? Eliminate unwanted stuffing that isn’t aligned with your truth.
Next week, 4 more freedom from holiday stress strategies are coming your way!
In Stillness + Truth,
Angela
Copyright Angela Savitri – Capri Health 2013