Mindful through Christmas, a wonderful start to the new year!
It’s that time of year again: Christmas lights grace the streets, houses are cosily decorated, and families and friends gather to celebrate. Amid this joyous chaos, however, it is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and lose sight of the real purpose of the festive season.
How can you experience Christmas in a more mindful way this year? Here are some tips for experiencing the Christmas season with mindfulness and peace.
- Breathe in – Breathe out
Keep taking care of peace and balance even during Christmas. Notice that Christmas stress is affecting you too?
Take some time for yourself: close your eyes, and breathe in and out quietly for five minutes. You can’t give yourself a better gift.
- Appreciate the now
Christmas is all about being together and creating precious memories. Let go of thoughts about perfect gifts, festive decorations and flawless dinners for a while. Value the present moment and the people around you. After all, it is the experiences that matter, not perfection.
- Ignore your phone
Be mindful of the time you spend on your phone. Whether it’s capturing every moment on social media or endlessly scrolling through gift ideas, a digital detox can work wonders.
Put your phone away and pay attention to the people around you.
- Eat consciously
Enjoy festive food with all your senses. Smell the aromas, taste each bite, and chew slowly. By eating consciously, you are more connected to everything you eat. It also allows you to better sense your body’s signals when it signals that it has had more than enough.
- Make time for silence
Amidst all the festivities, find moments of silence. Whether it is a short walk in the fresh air or a few minutes of meditation in a quiet room, these moments of silence can help you recharge and enjoy Christmas to the fullest.
- Give with intention
Christmas is also about giving, but let the giving be with intention. Think about the recipient’s needs and wants.
It is not about the price of the gift, but the intention and thought behind it.
- Accept imperfections
Nothing is perfect, and that includes Christmas. There are bound to be unexpected twists and turns and not everything will go according to plan. Accept these imperfections with patience and understanding. It is often the unexpected moments that create the most valuable memories.
Make Christmas the starting point for a healthy, fulfilled, and mindful life. Why wait until the new year to embrace positive change?
Wishing you a Merry Mindful Christmas and a Healthy Happy New Year!
Raphaëlle
