The holiday season is full of joy and happiness and peace….but it can also be full of guilt, anxiety and dread. Just being honest. Even if you’re not having a tough time, it can be tremendously overwhelming. It’s no wonder our health tends to take a back seat. If you struggle with this I’ve got a challenge JUST for you (click here to join).
The biggest wish I have for you isn’t that you join the Challenge…It’s kindness.
It’s so easy to be swept up in comparison, competition and chaos this time of year. But none of those are particularly conducive to feeling joyful, happy or peaceful. Here are my 5 tips to help you embrace kindness this holiday season:
- Scroll mindfully. “People don’t post their fails, unless their funny” (that’s a line from my book… and it’s absolute truth). The highlight reels of social may make you feel like everyone else is have a super jolly time…but for many that’s a front. If scrolling social is making you feel…anything but AWESOME….stop it. Cut back. Put your phone down and go trim a tree. Seriously.
- Rack up the joy with a RAK! Performing Random Act’s of Kindness (doing nice things for others without them asking) not only fills their bucket, it also fills YOURS! #hellojoy Buy a coffee for the person behind you in line. Open doors for people. Smile first. They don’t have to be big.
- Breathe. Make time each day to decompress and breathe. Even if it’s 1 minute before bed. Try “box breathing” – breath in for the count of 4, hold for 4, release for 4, hold for 4. Repeat for 1 minute. Ahhhhhh.
- Turn your kindness towards yourself. You’ll over-eat. You’ll skip a workout. It’s ok! You’re human – not a robot. Give yourself some space and grace through this holiday season. When you notice yourself being a bit of an inner jerk (it happens), reframe and speak to yourself how you would a dear friend in struggle. Practicing self-kindness or self-compassion is clinically proven to decrease anxiety, depression and is strongly related to happiness, motivation and connection with others. Who doesn’t need that?
- Pay it forward. Think back to a time when you struggled and consider what you needed. Reach out to someone you know is struggling – and offer them something. A smile, a call, a hug, a meal. Sometimes just the act of reaching out is a huge game changer.
“No act of kindness, no matter how small is ever wasted.”Aesop