Guest Post: How to Stay Mindful Over the Holidays
Thanksgiving is behind us, but the Holiday season is just beginning! We invited Lauren Seserko of Breathe Deeply and Smile to share her best tips for staying sane over the Holidays. Are you ready? With these tips, you will be:
Ready or not, the Holiday season is here! It's a really fun time of year that's full of friends, family, gifts and parties—but the Holidays can also be very stressful. There just aren’t enough hours in the day or weekends of free time, so it's really important to take time to take care of yourself before you get caught up in the joy of giving to others. I love that my Momentum Jewelry serves as beautiful reminders during fitness activities like marathons and also in my everyday life.
The mantras on my Motivate Wraps can be especially helpful during the holidays. They offer reminders to relax, be present and have fun. Here are some of my favorites:
Positive Energy: Stick with happy moments and habits. I cherish the 15 minutes each morning that I spend with my cup of coffee, reading the news and flipping through my phone, before I start my day. Whatever will help you start off the day on a good note—you should do that, despite whatever else is on your to-do list for the day. Or, you might consider volunteering your time or making charitable donations during the Holidays. It feels good to help someone else! Put some positive energy out into the world. It will find its way back to you.
Live Joyfully: Despite it being the “most wonderful time of the year,” I find myself not having much time to enjoy the season. Plan stress-free activities for the Holidays, like attending a show or visiting with friends, or simply driving around to look at Holiday lights. This year, I'm choosing one joyful thing to do each week of the Holiday season. If I don’t schedule these things, the weeks will fly by.
Also, know that despite the expectations that everything around the Holidays is magical and perfect—you should accept yourself wherever you are in life. Find joy in the journey and stay strong.
Make It Happen: Despite being able to simplify your life as much as possible, there are things that have to get done. It's easy to get overwhelmed, particularly as the Holidays get closer. Whether you're hosting a Holiday party or have a really long shopping list to tackle, remember that you are strong and amazing. You can accomplish whatever you need to do! Tackle the family dinner, one recipe at a time. Delegate tasks, simplify lists and make a plan. You can make it happen!
Just Breathe: Take moments to step back and realize that you don’t have to rush and nothing has to be perfect. The memories your children, friends, or family will have aren’t in the details. Enjoy shopping for others. Enjoy preparing meals and continuing family traditions. No one will notice that the folds on the present you wrapped are a little crumpled or uneven. Remember that the Holidays will come and go in a flash. Just breathe, take care of yourself, and most importantly—give yourself permission to do so.
Stack your wrist with the wraps above! Each of them are available in Motivate Wraps with the colors of your choosing. With Lauren's advice and a Motivate Wrap on your wrist, we firmly believe it can be the "most wonderful time of year" for you. Got friends to buy for? Consider gifting them one of our new Spark Boxes!