Christmas Feel Goodness - Tips for Balance & Harmony

Merry Christmas gorgeous reader,

I hope you've been filled with much love and turkey over the past few days! I hope you've managed to put your feet up, relax, and reflect on the previous months.

Christmas is a funny old time of year though isn't it? It's that one time of year when by some unwritten decree families are brought together. Christmas pushes us out of our general routine and we can be faced with people, situations, and lifestyle choices which unearth some inner gremlins.

In the space of a few days our lives can become spaces of stress and anxiety. Those feelings can spiral into more fear based thoughts, and by the time the New Year rolls around it can be difficult to drum up motivation and determination. In fact, most of us could use a holiday or spiritual retreat after time with family and over indulging.

So if you're feeling in a space right now that is a little off track from where you would love to be, here are some simple tips which I have been practising over the holiday season that might help to restore your inner harmony and balance.

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You Are Important.

Sometimes we put the focus on too many people over the holidays and while Christmas is about spending time with our nearest and dearest, it can be very draining; both emotionally and physically.

Now that the big days have passed it is time to bring the focus back to yourself. It's time to start making yourself a VIP in your life again. Begin by easing your way back into your routine - maybe you've neglected your juicing, yoga, meditation practise or making time at the end if your day to sit and enjoy a good book. Before the New Year begins and before you return to work, give yourself the gift of self care.

You are so very very important. Please don't forget that.

There Are Many Blessings To Be Counted.

I read a beautiful quote in a magazine recently which said "jealously comes from counting other people's blessings instead of our own". Those words struck a cord with me for some reason.

Christmas is a magical time when our hearts are filled with a renewed sense of hope, peace, and love. Yet, it can also be a time when our minds can wander and we focus on things that we don't have. It can be a difficult time when the void of those who are no longer with us becomes greater. In some ways we're confronted with an unavoidable sense of lack. This can lead to feelings of loneliness, jealously, envy, anger, and sadness.

We all have many blessings to be counted, even more so around Christmas time. Write them down. Keep them somewhere close to hand, and when those feelings creep up, you can remind yourself of how blessed you are... even for the small things like having a roof over your head and food in your tummy. Remember, gratitude is what turns what we have into enough.

Start Now.

Normally my Christmas would be about creating endless to-do lists for the New Year. I become a procrastination station. Maybe like me you say things like 'The diet starts on the 1st of January // I'll begin looking for a new job next month // I'll look into that language course on Monday' ... The list is endless but you get the jist.

The days between Christmas and New Years can feel like no-mans land. A empty void of wasted time between where you are and where you want to be. Instead of making crazy to-do lists with a zillions things on it, pick one thing that you will achieve by the end of today. Honestly, it will perk you right up. I joined my local Bikram yoga class today and I feel amazing. I thought of postponing it until the New Year but kick starting my plans ahead of schedule has given me more focus and drive.

Just Breathe.

Sometimes the simplest things are the most rewarding. If you feel yourself feeling overwhelmed take a few quiet moments alone and just breathe slowly. If your mind wanders bring it back to focusing on your breathing. If the next few days are filling you with uncertainty and anxiousness being you mind back to the present moment.

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I hope these tips will help refresh your thinking around the holidays and keep you on track. Every situation is an opportunity to practise love and positivity. My wish for you is that you enjoy the remaining days of the holidays and live every day fully. Soak up every moment.

Merry Christmas xxxx