For many, the holiday season is a beautiful time to get together to celebrate with your family and friends. For others, it triggers the opposite effect; it sets off an alarm of social anxiety about the whole production. As the pandemic havoc lessens, more and more people feel available to plan year-end festivities. Whether you are a host or a guest, we all go through the same process; searching for a venue, making a guest list, meal planning, gift-shopping. All stressors of different degrees.
The main purpose is to mindfully prepare ourselves prior to a busy holiday season. Once prepared, we can make conscious choices to flow with what naturally unfolds and in turn be more present to manage unpredictable events with grace and spontaneity.
You don’t want a holiday from your holidays, don’t you? The following are a few categories to consider, each containing a few ideas on how to prepare ourselves to prevent burn out at the end of the season.
ANTIDOTE ONE
NUTRITION
Eat healthy foods. Eat regularly, including foods rich in Vitamin B (stress tends to deplete vitamin B levels).
Eat plenty of healthy fats and good protein (grass-fed meats, fish, legumes, nuts) to help keep blood sugar on an even keel. This supports good energy, mental clarity and a stable mood — all of which lead to more resilience under pressure.
Favour the Mediterranean diet; include plenty of legumes, greens and fish. It promotes a proper balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and soothes intestinal inflammation.
Keep your meal times regular; a good way to maintain a schedule to help with body balance.
Consider Ayurvedic care - it recommends drinking spicy warmed milk (with a pinch of ginger, cardamon and pinch of nutmeg) at bedtime for beneficial effects; it induces a sound, restful sleep.
Minimize alcohol consumption, if you can. Alcohol causes physiological changes with increased anxiety, including may increase sadness, irritability or anger.
Reduce caffeine; after an initial boost of energy, caffeine can also increase anxiety and decrease mood.
Keep sugar and flour to a minimum. Again, like caffeine, foods containing high amounts of sugar and floor can cause a boost, but can bring you down rapidly. It can become a very bad cycle.
I Hope you find this tips useful. You can integrate gradually what supports you in your daily life.
Arranging a bowl of flowers in the morning can give a sense of quiet in a crowded day- like writing a poem or saying a prayer. Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Monica is a wife and mother of two teenagers. Passionate founder of Zazen Meditation & Self-care Studio. She is a firm believer in the physical and spiritual healing of meditation. Monica shares her passion by empowering individuals in her community, facilitating workshops in Mindfulness, Holistic self-care and Emotional regulation. Under the umbrella of Mindfulness practices, Ayurveda Care, Yoga Therapy and Conscious Breath Work, Monica supports her clients by offering guidance in their healing journey.
Monica is trained in Akhanda- Hatha classical yoga , Ayurveda and Yoga Therapist, Restorative Yoga for emotional balance, Healing meditation, Mantra and Mindfulness based stress reduction. Monica is a strong advocate for mental health in her community to break the stigma. Extensively collaborates with the non-profit organization, Youth Mental Health Canada.
To contact Her Email: zazen@zazenstudio.com
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