Every year the same thing happens. Your school work piles up and so does your holiday shopping. Whether you prefer to shop in-store or online, your browser is cluttered with so many tabs that your computer looks like a filing cabinet. Not to mention the to-do list that actually has to get done this week. Real life isn't typically like a Hallmark movie (kudos if it is), but here are a few tips to bring back the holiday spirit.
1. Journal: Schedule time to check-in with yourself during the holidays and reflect on your month after. Write about the conversations you had with your family members or your favorite things to do in December. This is a way to slow down and ensure that you are living in the moment by helping you consider what you are grateful for, not what you are stressed out about.
2. Binge holiday movies: Call your friends, cuddle up in your pajamas, grab some snacks and, most importantly, turn your phone off (I know, Ok boomer ). There truly is magic in watching “Elf” or “The Grinch” for the thousandth time, and throughout the month I'm sure you can relate to both characters.
3. Donate: The holiday season is a time where many families need assistance and you can help! Whether it be a monetary donation or your time, they are both equally valuable. You could visit a nursing home, donate to a food bank or even sponsor a family in need during the holidays.
4. Do things that remind you of your childhood: With age, the spirit of the holiday season usually fades and more responsibility is handed down. Letting go of a couple commitments does not mean that you are Ebenezer Scrooge. One way to bring back joy is playing the same music that echoed throughout your home as a child or lighting similar candles that filled your home with cheer. Decorate your apartment or bake with your roommates if those were a large part of your holiday growing up.
5. Attend a mindfulness yoga class: This may be cliché, but it's a classic stress reliever for a reason. It's a place that you can go to relax, sweat, stretch and center your mind. Locally, Dragonfly Hot Yoga is a great option that offers you one free class with registration! I specifically recommend Aroma Slow Flow or Aroma Yin classes.
As the Grinch so famously realized, appreciation for the holidays doesn’t come from something you can buy at the store. The holidays are special because of the time spent with family/friends and giving to others. Take the time to reflect on what is important to you and how you want to make the holidays special this season.
