Mindful tips for the festive season
Written by
Thursday 21st November 2024
The holiday season is a whirlwind of planning, shopping and socialising. While all this can be exciting, it can also be stressful. So how can we bring a sense of calm to the chaos?
Taking a mindful approach can help you to savour the magic of the season without feeling overwhelmed.
1. Be intentional with festive activities
Throwing up the festive decorations? Rushing to get the house ready for guests? Hastily wrapping gifts at the last minute? Busy prepping food?
It’s easy to rush through these tasks, but you could be missing valuable moments. Turn up those festive tunes and take your time decorating, wrapping and prepping instead. Infusing the moments with gratitude and consideration will help you find joy in festive activities instead of viewing them as chores.
2. Focus on making memories, not just plans
Christmas can fly by in a blur of tasks and events. Pause and take in the atmosphere around you. Pay attention to all your senses and notice everything more consciously, from the smell of dinner cooking in the oven to the sparkling fairy lights.
Try to practice active listening too. It’s all easy to glaze over when guests are talking – particularly if you’re in charge of the Christmas dinner! But connect with those around you by properly engaging in conversation and listening without judgement.
3. Unplug and relax
Whether you’re hosting guests or you’re a guest yourself, set aside your phone and focus entirely on the present moment. A festive digital detox helps you connect more deeply with the people around you, so you can fully embrace the experience.
4. Enjoy the winter sunshine
Don’t let the shorter days keep you indoors. There’s nothing quite like a brisk winter walk to help you recharge and reset.
As you walk, tune into your surroundings: the crispness of the air or the crunch of leaves underfoot. It’s a wonderful way to practice mindfulness and boost your mood.
5. Stay hydrated
We all love a festive tipple. But it’s important to stay hydrated so you can properly enjoy the day! Keep water glasses topped up throughout the day to encourage you and your guests to get your daily dose of H2O.
Plus, if you’re looking for a chance to step away from the holiday hustle, grabbing a glass of water is a perfect opportunity to enjoy a moment to yourself.
6. Savour the moment
It’s the season of indulgence, and that’s absolutely fine! But instead of mindlessly overindulging, make sure you’re savouring the moment.
Ready to enjoy a bit of mealtime mindfulness? Slow things down so you can appreciate each mouthful of mince pie or sip of sherry – you won’t regret it.
7. Be thankful
Practicing gratitude is a big part of mindfulness, and this particularly applies during the gift-giving season. You might get everything on your wish list, a token gift or a Secret Santa present. But receive it all with appreciation.
Why not send handwritten gift cards after the big day to say thank you? This is a great opportunity to show gratitude not only for the gift, but for their love or friendship over the whole year. Handwritten letters are a low-cost act of kindness that everyone loves to receive.
8. Reflect, breathe and reset
Find a moment of calm amongst the chaos of Christmas to practice mindfulness or meditation. Whether you prefer a guided meditation, deep breathing exercises, or a gentle yoga session, hit the ‘pause’ button on the fast-paced festive season and allow yourself a moment to reflect.
9. Start new, mindful traditions
The festive season is often associated with boozy nights out, rowdy parties or late nights. Why not turn these traditions around and choose a new activity? Whether you opt for a brisk woodland walk, a cosy movie night in or even a volunteering activity, change things up to feel more connected to your loved ones.
Written by
Stephanie Reid is a financial services expert with over eight years of experience writing money-saving articles at Novuna Personal Finance. She has written hundreds of articles on a variety of topics including interior design, home improvements and weddings - with a keen eye for spotting money-saving opportunities and passing these tips onto readers. As a mum of two, Stephanie knows how important budgeting effectively is for parents and often incorporates family budgeting tips into her guides.
