Your Stress-Free Guide To Thrive This Festive Season (Not Just Survive)Here are 5 shifts to help you navigate the holidays while staying grounded, calm, and connected to yourself:
1. Say Less, Listen More.
Worried about reeling off your yearâs accomplishments or conversations verging into highly-charged political debates? Shift the focus by asking others about their experiences. Listening is powerfulâit creates connection and takes the pressure off you. Questions like - Do have a passion project that you worked on this year? What's your favorite time of the year? Tell me a story about the holidays when you were a kid. What are you most looking forward to doing in the new year? What was the best part of that trip you took earlier this year?
2. Visualize Your Calm.
Dreading awkward family moments? Take a quiet moment beforehand to visualize yourself calm, happy, and confident. Picture the best version of the eventâwhat could happen if you allowed yourself to enjoy it?
3. Play the Game.
Turn interactions with challenging people into a game: +2 points for responding with kindness or curiosity. -3 points for snapping or repeating an old argument.
Make it fun, and be sure to know what your reward is when you reach 50 points.
4. Breathe with Intention.
Feeling overwhelmed mid-event? Step away for four slow, deep breaths. Bonus: Dab an uplifting scent like Be Here Now or cedarwood or bergamont on your wrists, inhale deeply, and reset.
5. Snuggle into Sleep.
Sleep is your secret weapon. Skip the sugar and alcohol before bed, shut off screens early, and give yourself an extra hour to unwind. Your body (and emotions) will thank you tomorrow.
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