Thanksgiving has come and gone, and December is HERE! As an adult, it’s pretty much a requirement to say how fast the year is rolling by, right? So let’s go ahead and call it Christmas and Happy 2022, already, and get on with a new year, right? CRAZY!!!!! Maybe in some ways 2021 was better than 2020 (???), but plenty of new difficulties and stresses were to be found. Ruminating on the sorrows of another pandemic year, plus all the things gone wrong, feels like a good idea (it’s not a good idea, btw), but I guess the optimist in me is going to whip out a magnifying glass and search the past year for moments of sparkly glitter instead of zoning in on the crap (if you have a better word for it, feel free to let me know).
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This has been a year of grounding, connecting with creation, and journaling like a mother (pun intended) in hopes of becoming a better human, and stepping up to the plate by modeling that better human stuff for my kiddos. BUT here’s the real talk, because SO MANY of you need to hear this, too ….. my (our) mental health needs a hug. I recently wrote about turning the not-a-hugger tide, but perhaps what I need most is a hug for my inner child, permission for the strong inside that’s tired of being strong to rest, and a gentle touch for those anxious parts of me. My long time companion, anxiety, has become ultra clingy, and I think it’s time to give her attention so maybe she’ll back off a little and allow me time to enjoy the rest of the year.
As we steam ahead into the magical, bustling, stress inducing, money guzzling, frantic pace of holiday holiday holiday, perhaps intentional and focused slowing down should be top priority. I’ve finally learned that if I can’t find mindful moments through the day, I can make them, and that’s a win. Here’s a few things that help me slow down and enjoy inner peace, rather than strive for the outward moments that look good on social media, but obliterate your mental health. We need hugs and care, not likes, right?
- Savor… all the meals; the soft, indulgent fabrics (if you don’t have soft fuzzy clothes you might want to reconsider your life choices); the warm, comforting scents of the season; the visuals of bare trees waiting patiently for warmer days to get dressed again; and the sound of brisk autumn wind swirling remnants of leaves, while the trees creak and sway. I could write forever about ways to cultivate our five senses, it opens up a whole new world of enjoyment when we don’t take our gifts for granted.
- Breathe. OK, obviously, we breathe, but do we REALLY? For a while now, I’ve been keen on the inhale for 4, hold for 7, and exhale for 8 bit, but to be honest, I think the magic is in the focus, not the numbers. Notice where you hold anxiety and tension, and with those long, focused exhales, enjoy release and the melting away of tightness …. it’s a delicious feeling to release tension with focused breathing. Wait, you think delicious is a strong (weird) word to describe the melt-y feeling of loosening up? Go on, I’ll wait for you to give it a go … 5 minutes of focused breathing might be life changing ….
- Simplify. Y’all, this season doesn’t have to be GO BIG OR GO HOME. No matter what you celebrate, this holiday season is about peace and joy, NOT consumerism, promise! Simplify by choosing to be present with those you love. Hanukkah, winter solstice Yule celebration, Christmas, and Kwanzaa are all celebrations of light, in one way or another. Don’t get me wrong, I love lighted trees, gifts, and all the outward displays, but maybe we do too much anymore? The wise men took Jesus gifts that made sense, not a huge bundle of pop it’s and video games. Make time with family or friends and be creative together, use resources you have on hand, and the gifts that nature provides instead of buying “just one more thing”.
- Look to nature. Does creation shop til she drops for Christmas? No, creation rests! The days get shorter, animals slow down or go into their cozy safe space to wait out the cold, trees conserve energy, and the earth takes a break from growing things while it repairs and refreshes. When the sun shines, spend time outside and soak up the warmth, when it’s cold and dark, bundle up and restore your spirit. Drink more tea and hot beverages, eat seasonal fruits and veggies, indulge in hearty soups with thick crusty bread ….. It makes sense to follow cues from the earth, just like we eat lighter in the summer when it’s warm, comfort foods in the colder months definitely cater to mental health.
- Don’t go OVERBOARD. This is perhaps the biggest hug for your mental health ……. scaling back, saying no when it’s healthier than saying yes, and keeping it small and light is always the better choice. This season tends to feel frantic with sales, parties, kids wanting everything, eating drinking and being merry, higher electric bills and less sunshine, but focusing on things that truly matter is where it’s at. Don’t overspend, over commit, or over stress if you can’t do all that you want, because you’re ENOUGH OF A GIFT AS YOU ARE (#facts).
Just as we only have one physical body to honor and take care of, our emotional state deserves that same attention … it keeps us going even if our body politely (or rudely) declines. As beautiful as the Christmas season can be, we are finishing up a roller coaster of a year, and we all need more kindness and love. Cultivate ways to hug your mental health, and you’ll be stronger to help the next person, and bam, that’s where it’s at.
With Sunbeams and Love,
Racheal Xx
