We are in the crunch season for the holidays. Many people are hustling and bustling. Stress is in the air. There are the gifts to finish purchasing, menus to be planned, food to be bought, and figuring out who is going where. Perhaps you are navigating among a few families and trying to figure out how to see everyone. Believe it or not, you can be doing some of these things and still relax by practicing holiday mindfulness. When you are mindful, you are in the moment. You are not judging where you are or what you are doing. You are accepting it as it is. There is no room for worry, regret or fear when you are being mindful. Perhaps you wonder how you can you relax when you have so much to do.

How to Practice Holiday Mindfulness

Smell

Pay attention to the aromas. There are so many ways you can practice holiday mindfulness. If you have a fresh Christmas tree, how about taking time to inhale and appreciate the scent of pine. Is there a candle in the room? What scent is it? Many associate cinnamon with the holidays, so perhaps that is what it smells like. Is something baking in the oven? Maybe you are making sugar cookies. Notice the wonderful smell as they are about done and ready to come out of the oven. Maybe there is gingerbread cooking and you are aware of the many wonderful spices.

Sound

What do you hear? Do you have music on in the background? This is another way to practice holiday mindfulness. Just notice the familiar tunes. Let your body fill with the sound and beat. Perhaps you want to sway or dance to the music. Is there anything else you hear? My guess is there is also some background noises. Perhaps you can hear a cat or a dog in the house. You can probably hear the refrigerator humming, or the TV.

Sight

There are so many things to see during the holiday season. Have you gone out to the look at the decorations people have in their yards? How about in your home? Just notice the tree you have up or the different holiday decorations. My guess is there is much more glitter and glitz than normal. Look at the shining ornaments or lights. Is your mantel decorated? Perhaps there are holiday cards on there. Most people do have some type of special decorations this time of year. Maybe you have special hand towels out, or there is garland on your staircase or mantle. There might be Christmas stockings hanging up. Or perhaps your family does something nontraditional or different from other families. Look at the traditions that make yours unique. Appreciate the festivities.

Taste

Oh there are so many wonderful tastes around the holidays. Does your family make any special foods? Perhaps there are potato latkes, or yummy cookies. Maybe you have a special holiday meal. Savor the cocoa, eggnog, spiced cider, or whatever you may enjoy. Is there extra food at work? Many times people bring in something special to share. Usually the sweets are abundant. Enjoy the flavors of the holiday.

Mindful eating

Here is a simple way to practice mindfulness. First look at what you about to eat. Let’s use a piece of chocolate cake for example. Notice the various textures of the cake and frosting, and the way they come together. Take a small bite, but don’t chew it. Notice the different textures on your tongue and mouth. Where do you taste the sweetness? Feel the chocolate ooze and melt in your mouth. Now chew once. Notice how the textures and tastes change. Then slowly finish chewing and swallow. This should be a very enjoyable experience, especially if you like sweets. Most people eat mindlessly and their food is gone before they know it.

Touch

Are you sitting or standing right now? Notice the constriction of your shoes or socks on your feet. Feel the texture of the shirt on your back. Can you feel the pressure of the cushion behind you? Or reach out and touch one of the holiday decorations. How do they feel in your hand? Are they soft or rough? Be aware of its shape and texture.

These are all things you can be doing while you are amidst the holiday hustle and bustle. You can even be mindful of the people passing you buy. Just taking a few minutes to be in the moment can have a calming effect. I wish you a wonderful holiday season.

Take care,

Debbie Grammas, PhD.