Pausing before speaking or reacting can bring peace and calm during challenging interactions. This can be really difficult when you feel offended or criticized by your Mom or some other relative.
During these times it’s often best to excuse yourself and go take some deep breaths. When you feel less emotionally charged, you can come back to the situation. Often, it’s best to just let it go. Remind yourself that it’s the holidays and soon the troublesome relative and the holiday will be gone.
It’s also important to have a stress reduction plan in place. Going to the gym, yoga class, or out for a daily walk can help reduce holiday stress. Ten minutes of meditation in the morning can work wonders.
I’m a big fan of catnaps. Even if I don’t fall asleep, just laying still on the bed for 10-15 minutes works wonders. When I do this before I head off to an event, I arrive in a completely different frame of mind than when I rush off. Listening to affirmations or a guided meditation for 10 minutes can also have a calming and centering effect.
My audio affirmations (See below this article), can leave you in a better frame of mind. There are many designed to calm and center you. You can listen to them while you're getting ready or while you’re driving to your event!
Whatever method you choose, make sure you take time out for you. Even if it’s a bath, getting a massage, or going for a mani/pedi. These things will help you approach the holidays in a better frame of mind and you won’t have to turn to food for relief.
Wishing you a wonderful and stress free holiday season!
