Christmas is all about celebrating with your loved ones, honoring the holiday, enjoying a delicious meal, and, of course, dressing up for the occasion – but, sometimes, the holidays can come with angst and feelings that have the ability to overwhelm you. From uneasy family dynamics, to social situations that may become too overbearing after a while – the holidays are not the happiest time of the year for everyone! If the holidays tend to be an overwhelming time of year for you, we have got you covered. Check out these mindfulness techniques that you can try if Christmas day is a little too unbearable for you. From group activities that you can partake in with family members, to taking a little time out for yourself – we hope this list helps you this year and you have a truly merry Christmas!
Observe
If you are familiar with mindfulness techniques, then you are no stranger to observing. Simply grab an object closest to you and observe it mindfully with no judgement – the best part of this exercise is that it only takes a minute or two! On Christmas, you have the ability to make this exercise a whole lot more fun. With Christmas decorations all around you, gift boxes, and wrapping paper – observing might just be the greatest mindfulness exercise to both help calm you down and get you back into that joyous Christmas spirit.
The Word Story
Getting a little anxious or overwhelmed on Christmas day during that awkward moment between opening presents and having dinner? The word story is both a fun and stress-relieving game that anyone can enjoy without having to explain yourself or your feelings. All you have to do is say a word – no matter how random or silly – and have each person in the group add another one to create a funny story. This technique is a great stress-reliever in terms of directing your focus and attention, and even having a good laugh with your loved ones.
Mindful Snacking
Believe it or not, mindful snacking is not too good to be true! In fact, becoming aware of our minds through the act of eating is a great way to see how much we let slip by on a daily basis. Gathering for a family meal is also a great way to come closer together and bond – even if you are not talking! Sharing the same sensations with a group of people and being in tune with that particular moment will create a peaceful and beautiful moment. Not only that, but you can even sneak away for a Christmas cookie or two if you need a little breather!
Shared Self-Compassion Session
It might seem a little counterintuitive, but many people who learn mindfulness and healing tend to forget themselves. All that great caring energy is projected onto others, and the person who is making it happen gets forgotten. We need to be compassionate with ourselves, and a shared self-compassion session can be a good tool for making that happen – and what better time to do this than on Christmas with the people you love?