What are you going through right now that is either building or destroying your energy? One thing you can count on during this holiday time is a change of routine. Change in and of itself can be uncomfortable even if the change is good. Here are some of the most common changes I hear about from clients and friends that happen during the holidays. How many are you dealing with?
1. Visitors in your home & extra guests for meals
2. Regular exercise routines interrupted
3. Travel
4. Sleeping in an unfamiliar bed
5. Losing control over food choices
6. Sleep cycles and schedules changing for parties, socializing and general holiday celebrations. Winter solstice and lengthy darkness can add to the drain.
7. More alcohol and calories than usual
8. Meeting family expectations and demands
9. Extra financial pressures with gift giving, travel, entertaining and recreation.
10. Filling the “free time” and vacation with something meaningful
Has your awareness of a potential snag jumped at you yet? What will you do about it?
I have often said that sometimes we are just one resource away from a better experience. I remind myself and my clients that you really do control the way you prepare for trouble and how you respond to events beyond your control.
Preparation:
We all know that holiday change is coming. We can respond to changes and stresses better if we are prepared for them and have a plan. A few obvious suggestions may include getting extra sleep whenever possible, maintaining regular exercise such as walking, adhering to a budget, eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water, breathing deeply, including something you love in each day (i.e. – reading a chapter of a great book or sniffing your favorite fragrance) and talking to someone you love even if they aren’t with you.
Response and Choice
For those of us headed into hostile teritory where we may be giving up lots of choice and personal control for the common good – some additional tools may be helpful.
1. Before it even begins, set an intention of how you want to feel, be, act and be remembered. Honor yourself by envisioning a successful experience.
2. Remind yourself that the situation you are going into is temporary and will be over soon.
3. Set some boundaries. Financial budgets are boundaries too. Determine your “absolute NO list” and prepare to defend it. You are responsible for letting others know how to treat you and what you need. Defend yourself calmly and with compassion.
4. Observe the needs and the pain of others, and seek to give them what is needed to alleviate their suffering. The complainer is just wanting to be heard. The person who dominates a conversation needs validation and control. The depressed person is searching for compassion and hope. Can you help?
5. Take a time-out if you become overwhelmed. Remove yourself from the room or location briefly. Walk, practice EFT tapping, breathe, nap, pray, write or call someone for support.
6. Ask for divine intervention. Seriously, by simply asking it often arrives. Never doubt the possibility of a miracle. Remember to ask!
7. Remain open, creative and curious. Refrain from judgment and enjoy the process of observation. Listeners are respected. Be attentive to the situation. You need not agree with bigots and tormentors, but by keeping your cool, you keep from adding to the drama.
8. Notice and be grateful when things go better than you expected. This will immediately lift your spirit. Feel free to share your observations generously with others because it will lift them too. You have the opportunity to spread contageous optimism!
Action Time:
What will you do to be more resillient and prepared this holiday season? What might get in the way or drain your energy? Which of the tips above seem to offer the best solution for your situation. Choose at least 2 and give it a shot. I’d love to hear how it goes for you. Perhaps you’ll share your experience with me on the live coaching call coming up on Dec. 28 at 8 PM EST.
Have yourself a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah and blessed holiday in whatever tradition fits your beliefs.
