Practicing mindfulness and learning to be more present, can help us pause that perfectionist desire and pressure that crowds out what we want most. Learn how mindfulness can help us better manage not only our holiday expectations but also life post-holiday season.

7 Days of Harmonious Holidays

There are many reasons the holidays can be challenging mentally, emotionally and physically. It is important to honor your own feelings and reasons if you find this time of year to be painful in some way. It is equally useful to notice if your anticipation of it being unpleasant makes it an even more difficult time of year. A

Bah Humbug!

Awareness

Curious Observation

Cognitive Flexibility

Attitudes of Mindfulness

Focus

What needs to happen in order for you to be able to cherish something or someone? Do you need time, to be relaxed, or simply to be intentional? Now consider if you are making the mental and physical time and space to fully cherish these experiences.

Cherish This Moment

This time of year can be wonderful. It can also be hectic and over stimulating, leaving us with little peace and quite, reflection on the meaning the holiday holds for us, or down time. Taking moments to pause and invite in peace and stillness can allow you to rest, replenish and reset before moving onto the next part of your day.

Holiday Harmony

Most people would likely identify with wanting to experience greater joy in their lives, especially this time of year when we’re surrounded by suggestions that we should be enjoying the holiday season. This can set us up for striving, or trying to force ourselves into joy. But striving for joy can backfire, and leave us in a state of struggle, feeling like our joy is artificial, or like we’re missing out on the super-joy everyone else seems to be experiencing

Holiday Present Is Now

Our desires to not hurt other people, to protect our own self image as a thoughtful person, and to keep things "even" with others can all contribute to an uncomfortable experience when someone has given something to us and we don't have something to keep the exchange of kindness, thoughtfulness and items even.

Just For You

Generosity has positive payoffs beyond the other person getting to feel cared for.  Being generous penetrates our mind-set, mood and physiology with a sense of joy and connection. Studies show we will even live a healthier and longer life if we’re generous. But generosity doesn’t mean overspending and buying lots of gifts!

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Our environments can leave us feeling over-stimulated and feeling low-level stress.  However, with awareness, we can also use the seasonal change in the way our spaces look, feel and sound as an signal to be more present, instead of more distracted. Consider how you could use the novelty of the holiday season decorations, music, flow of people as an opportunity to be more present?

7 Days of Harmonious Holidays

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