Holidays can be a mixed bag of emotions. They are often stressful.
A simple exercise can help you purposefully focus on the positive aspects, and reduce your stress as well. Mindfulness practice lowers stress and anxiety. In simple terms, mindfulness involves centering yourself in the here and now. It stops the worries about the future and rumination on past problems, giving you a moment of peace.
Mindful practice involves observation and description, both mental activities that use the prefrontal cortex. This shifts brain activity from the limbic system that is emotional and reactive. The shift helps slow the release of stress hormones.
How to do it
Pick something to focus on, perhaps a holiday decoration. Take deep slow breaths and observe and describe how the decoration looks in detail. Notice the color, movement, smell and texture. Appreciate it.
If you are out shopping, look for three red things. Observe and describe them to yourself as you breathe deeply. Then shift to three things you can hear, and three things you can smell.
Almost anything can become mindful. Taking a walk, making a snowball, eating a cookie.
The Youth Service Bureau hopes you have a safe, mindful and healthy holiday.
Submitted by AnneMarie Cox MS, LPC, Board Certified School Psychologist, Town of Granby Youth Service Bureau