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It’s a busy time for most of us with the holidays upon us. It’s the most wonderful time of year for many and brings with it feelings of joy and happiness, but the holidays can also be a time of stress and anxiety for some. There are those who stress about finding just the right gift or feel sadness because it may be their first Christmas without a loved one through loss or we may be upset we cannot be with loved ones like we have in the past due to COVID-19. During these moments and throughout the holiday season it is important to be mindful and take care of our mental health.
One way to help our mental health is to understand how to be in the present. We focus so much on the negatives in our lives sometimes and forget to focus on the positives. There is a saying that says worrying about the future only robs you of the present. By worrying about the future, you put undue stress on yourself twice. Once before there’s anything to really stress about and once when the moment you stress over comes about. These moments rob us of our mental wellness and cause stress, not only in our minds, but within our bodies also. We weaken our immune system and raise our risks of heart attack and stroke.
Focusing on the present moment can help us be mindful and reduce our stress levels. Can you close your eyes and name 3 things you are most grateful for in life? What makes you happiest in this very moment? With your eyes closed, can you hear the sound of your breathing? Feel your heart beating? These are things that pull us into the present moment. These are also helpful for moments we may feel so focused on the future that we begin to get anxious and overwhelmed.
Always remember to:
- Close your eyes
- Take 10 deep cleansing breaths
- Listen to the rise and fall of your breathing
- List 3 things you are grateful for in that moment
This holiday season take the time out to really look around you and appreciate what you hear and see. Appreciate whatever it may be and stray from comparing it to “Christmas Past” (comparison is the thief of joy). Love those around you deeply and appreciate each moment for the gift it is. Your mental wellness will thank you and your body will thank you. As the holidays approach, try to all focus on being present and enjoying each moment it brings.
