Finding Peace During the Holidays and Always
by Roma Palmer
Do you ever feel overwhelmed during the winter holidays? Even though most of us have some time off at this time of year, many of us are inundated with activities. Some commitments are enjoyable; but even too much of a good thing is still too much. For other people, this is a challenging time of year. The days are short and dark. Commitments feel exhausting.
How can you take time to be quiet and restore your energy?
I decided on the topic of Peace for the Holidays after a past Toolkit focused on the senses. I received feedback from one reader who said that calming their senses was something they wanted to do, not necessarily focus on them. I figured what better time of year to talk about calming the senses than when they are usually overloaded.
You may think it will be difficult to set aside time to quiet your senses but even brief moments to slow your thoughts and movements can make a noticeable difference. Some simple options to try include:
Stop where you are and take five deep breaths, counting to 5 on the inhale and the exhale. This is easy to do in a lineup or at a stop light.
Take one minute to stop your thoughts and look around you at your surroundings without judgment, taking in the colours, shapes, smells, textures and sounds.
Stop and notice your thoughts without judgment.
Close your eyes and picture a beautiful, calm mental image, real or imaginary - fill in as many details as you can.
Practice a mini progressive muscle relaxation - clench your fists and release them, scrunch up your face then relax it, or curl your toes and then relax them.
Go for a walk outside. Even a walk around the block can shift your energy.
The benefits of taking regular pauses and shifting your attention from the busyness around you are many:
Reduced stress and anxiety levels
Increased focus and concentration
Enhanced creativity and problem-solving abilities
Improved emotional regulation and impulse control
Better sleep quality and duration
Increased feelings of happiness and well-being
Lower blood pressure and heart rate
Boosted immune system function
Improved digestion and overall physical health
Enhanced interpersonal relationships and communication skills
All of these benefits are especially useful at a time of year when our concentration is maxed out and anxiety can be high.
Start your New Year’s Resolutions by making these peaceful practices part of your regular routine. Set aside moments in your day to practice. The beginning and end of your day are obvious times to stop and reflect. Other points in the day to pause are before or after mealtimes. Take a moment before starting to eat or after eating and before you begin another task to pause and clear your mind. Another time to pause is when you are moving from one activity or location to another. Before you switch mindlessly to the next thing on your list, take time to mentally complete one task before moving onto the next. You will feel more organized and clear-headed as you make your way through your day.
I hope these ideas give you some respite from the hectic holiday season. I wish you peace and calm in the coming weeks and throughout the New Year.