We all know that the holidays can bring on unwanted stress, and people often meet the winter season with anxiety. Not to fret! Here are a few tips to help you to stay positive so that you can enjoy the spirit of the season. Cooking
When considering dishes to make, keep it simple! Don’t feel like you have to impress anyone with new culinary experiments. Choose quick and healthy dishes that you are familiar with, and that you’re excited to make. Remember, people will subconsciously receive the energy that you put in to your cooking as they ingest it. So put on that colorful apron, blast those holiday tune, dance and be merry while you mix.
The Family
Interacting with our families can be a stressful act, in and of itself. But it doesn’t have to be. When meeting with your family, go in with a positive attitude. Know that any issues of the past should remain there, in the past. Try and be cheerful and positive. Bring a dish to share, or a seasonal bouquet to get the energy circulating around the room. Choose to not provoke (or invoke) feelings fear, hate, jealousy or animosity. Be tasteful with your jokes. Laughter is a great cure for breaking up stagnant energy, and can be contagious. If you’re in an uncomfortable discussion, or feel the tensions rising, politely excuse yourself for a few moments. Perhaps there is work to be done in the kitchen, or the children are having a much better time enjoying a funny Christmas movie in the living room. Surround yourself with positive vibrations, and kindly break off from those that do not serve you, or the greater good of gathering with loved ones.
Eat Everything
Well, not everything. But don’t deprive yourself either. Many of the traditional foods on our tables are made with ingredients that are in season, and help our bodies vibrate with the holiday spirit energies. Have a taste of that apple pie, ginger bread cookie, and eggnog. Just be sure to eat in moderation, don’t skip out on the veggies, and drink lots of water.
Gifting
Reduce your carbon footprint by shopping locally, or online, from a single store or source. If you can, take a day to focus of this task so that there is no rushing. Make a list of everyone that you want to purchase a gift for, and give yourself a budget that you can realistically stick to. Choose objects that are smaller and sentimental, rather than big and expensive. Bring your own reusable shopping bags while you’re on your treasure hunt. If you can afford it, pay a little extra to have gifts wrapped at the store. You may also save money by re-using the Sunday funnies in your newspaper to wrap gifts on your own. Add a colorful bow and name tag to personalize the gift.
Give Back
With the economy not quite in full repair, it is important to remember that there are those still in great need. Dedicate a day for serving others. Volunteer at a nursing home, and participate in activities with the elderly who don’t have many visitors during this time of year. Spend time at a local food pantry distributing bags of groceries to needy members of your community. Take it a step further and make it a family affair, or invite your friends, which will send a ripple effect from your heart and theirs to the rest of the world!
New Years Resolutions
The best time to make New Years Resolutions in during the new moon, just before the new year. This is a special time when the cosmos align to support your intentions for starting new projects. Sit down at a clean table to create a dream board based on one specific goal that you would like to achieve (don’t worry, there will actually be another new moon next month for you to repeat this project). Bring out your creative materials (i.e. scissors, crayons, markers, stickers, magazines, glue, glitter, poster board, etc.), light a fresh, new scented candle, and begin to create! Choose positive images and words that reflect your one goal. Paste the images on your poster board and when you’re done, hang it up where you will see it every day. Setting one goal will relieve the pressures of complying with multiple aspirations that might not be so attainable.
“You” Time
Set aside a few quiet moments when you may ground yourself. Wake up early, take a walk around the block, and breathe in that fresh, crispy air. Feel the sun on your cheek and the snow crunch under your feet. Make snow angels. Read Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House in the Big Woods and make maple candy. Go out at night and wish upon a star. Light scented candles and take a warm, brown sugar and cinnamon-stick bath. Treat yourself to hot apple cider, spiced with a little bit of rum.
Ultimately, remember that no matter what your path or faith, this holiday season is a time to bring back the sunlight into your life. Meditate, and consider how you’ll change your vibrations to attract happiness and joy into your life and into the lives of others around you. Happy holidays!
By: Yvonne Nieves
Happy holidays to you as well. Love that you mentioned "you" time. Often times we are so busy taking care of others needs and wants that we forget to take a time out for ourselves. As a mother of two kids, this is something that I have to remind myself to do no matter how busy things can get.
ReplyDelete