Taking Pause

The true meaning of the holidays gets easily lost in all the hustle and bustle of the season as we move into hyper mode; buying presents, cooking, and shopping for the perfect outfits to wear to all the social obligations we add to our calendars. The media is constantly bombarding our minds with images of gifts, recipes, and deals that seem unable to pass up. Everyone wants something from us whether it be money or time. Obligations pile up as we figure out how we are going to get to every party, shop for every gift. We almost put ourselves into automatic pilot as we write our lists and check off the boxes. We address holiday cards, decorate the house and wrap presents in such a frenzy that we forget to eat right, get enough sleep or take time for ourselves. Our routines become lost in the madness. The holiday simply becomes a date on the calendar and we move full speed ahead. Once we reach the actual day, we are so spent, so burned out, so exhausted from lack of sleep, that we have no reserves left for the actual holiday.

As the holidays begin to get underway, allow yourself a few minutes everyday to relax so that you can recharge the batteries so to speak. There is nothing wrong with stopping for a cup of tea, meeting your friend for coffee, listening to relaxing music or taking a yoga class. Even just taking a moment to look out the window or walk the dog without distraction is helpful in bringing yourself back into balance. Giving yourself the gift of a needed pause, a respite from the hustle and bustle is imperative to your overall health.

Think about when you take child's pose in yoga class, Allow yourself some time to reset and recharge, to bring yourself back into balance. By slowing down the pace and staying aware of how you are feeling mentally and physically, you can stop the chaos, take a pause so that the holidays do not become a chore. Being fully present for your family and friends is the most important gift you can give your loved ones and yourself. By giving yourself some time to pause, you avoid that burnout and you can reconnect to what is most precious and most important.