Give yourself the gift of a grounded Christmas
The smell of mint candy canes and pepperoni pizza lingered in the air. Our family was at the first of many holiday get-togethers this season. Being an extravert (though on the low end, if there is a continuum), I was happily mingling with other moms, balancing our baby on my hip while also trying to keep an eye on our lively little four year old.
At first it was great fun. Until it became too much. Being a highly sensitive person, who absorbs much of the environment, I know I can get overestimated easily. And an hour into the party – with the smells, the music, the ongoing small-talk, the bright lighting – I had reached my limit. It suddenly took every ounce of effort left to focus on the person in front of me. This is not the way I prefer to experience things. I was stuck in overstimulation mode, and it took a good chunk of time in complete silence at home to feel balanced again.
Reflecting on this first holiday outing, I could have marked it down as “strike one.” But instead, it was extremely valuable. It was a reminder that while Christmas brings so much beauty and importance (as we celebrate the birthday of our Savior), it can be overwhelming if we’re not prepared.
In a time when “to-do’s” are increasing and downtime is dwindling, it’s easy to push self-care aside. But now is when we need it the most. Having a toolbox to stay grounded and fight overwhelm is vital this time of year, whether you’re in the middle of party hopping or simply reading over your own “to-do” list.
Here are five ways to stay grounded during the Holliday season. Think of this toolbox as a gift to yourself to have more meaningful, balanced, and joyful Christmas season.
1. Take a Grounding Stance
The mind follows the body’s movements and postures. To feel more grounded, wherever you are, place both feet firmly on the floor. If standing, keep your weight equally balanced over both feet. This can anchor you in place and help your mind focus on what’s in front of you, instead of jumping ahead to holiday related “to-do’s.” Think about yourself being “all there” and firmly anchored in the moment – physically and mentally.
2. Breathe
A deep breath in and out from the diaphragm does more than just promote relaxation. It can boost confidence, reduce frustration, and improve mood by increasing feel-good hormones such as serotonin. Belly breathing brings more blood to the brain’s frontal lobe, which controls problem solving, decision making, concentration, and planning. Remember to breathe anytime overwhelm starts to set in. Better yet, carve 5-10 minutes (or more) out of your day just to sit and breathe. Put your hand on your belly and feel it fully expand upon inhale and contact upon exhale. Try to make your inhale 5-6 seconds and your exhale 6-7 seconds. Download the “Breathe2Relax” App to help guide your breathing practice.
3. Practice Gratitude
“Gratitude acts like a middle linebacker in your head, tackling negativity and worry before they can ruin your day,” says Dr. Earl Henslin in his book “This is your Brain on Joy”. By asking “What am I thankful for today?”, you activate the left frontal cortex, which is the happiness center of the brain. You could do a “Twelve Days of Christmas Challenge” where you write down what you’re grateful for each day. Or, write down one thing one day, two the next, three the next, up until you reach twelve things on the twelfth day. The more you practice gratitude, the stronger that area of the brain becomes, making it easier for gratitude to be a default response in the future.
4. Listen to a Podcast or Audiobook
Listening to a good podcast or audiobook does more than just entertain us. It engages the frontal lobe of our brain as we learn and contemplate what we’ve heard. If we’re overwhelmed or overthinking something (what to bring to tomorrow’s holiday party, what to dress the kiddos in for family pictures), listening to a podcast gives our brains a break. By engaging the frontal lobe, we can reset our mind and tackle decisions from a new prospective. Here are some inspiring Ted Talks on simple, intentional living.
5. Play a Detective Game
Holiday parties and family get togethers often include lots of small talk and mingling. Play a “detective game” to make conversations at these events more meaningful. Pick a reasonable number (maybe five total) and challenge yourself to learn that many things about different people at the get together. As you mingle, make notes on your phone’s Notes App about what you’ve learned. Take this challenge further by following up with people in a few weeks through text or phone call and ask them about something in your notes. Or bring it up the next time you see them. They’ll be glad you did.
Have yourself a merry and meaningful Christmas.