Our top tips for staying calm and mindful this Christmas
Breathe - if your meditation or yoga practice goes out of the window this Christmas, don't worry. You can still take a minute or so every day to take your attention to your breath. It might be while you're taking your morning shower or washing up, but taking even a minute to breathe mindfully will make a difference to your day.
A Christmas walk - before lunch/after lunch - if possible fit a walk into your Christmas Day. Walking raises endorphins, the feel good hormones and taking your attention to your feet hitting the floor or looking around you to take in the landscape around you (whether city or nature) will bring a mindful moment to an otherwise busy day.
Eat mindfully - let's face it, we're all going to eat! So let's do some of it mindfully; savour each mouthful and don't waste a minute on feeling guilty! Take joy in the food you (or your partner/host/family have prepared and say thank you to the chef/s at the end of the meal.
Light up your day - try to get at least 20 minutes outside each day. Even in the low light levels at this time of year, this is enough to top up your light quotient and maintain good sleep patterns. Once the curtains are closed light some candles or switch on the Christmas tree lights and enjoy bringing the light indoors.
Stretch - if you can find the time for 15 minutes of yoga or stretching
Take in the natural world - when you draw back the curtains, watch the sunrise and glory in the pink light; go for a nature walk, enjoy the frosted pavements or splash in puddles, look for red holly berries or the bright green of any early new growth; last thing at night - step out of the back door and watch the stars.
Give thanks - each night before you go to bed, give thanks for at least 3 things you are grateful for that day. Say them out loud or keeping a gratitude journal.
For more ideas and to learn more about Mindfulness and how it can help yourself and your clients, check out our Mindfulness diploma course; available as an in-person course or as home study.
