Be present this christmas
With the holiday season upon us, you might find yourself caught up in the stress of schoolwork, the winter blues, or gift shopping. Many aspects of the winter can stop you from being present and joyful, which may taint your feelings about this time of year. Being in the moment is the only way to truly enjoy the holidays, and here are the best ways to do that.
Put your phone down
You’ll never feel the excitement and happiness that the holiday season once brought unless you choose to avoid scrolling. When your mind receives the amounts of dopamine it does from your phone, it is difficult to obtain dopamine and excitement from anything else. Try to avoid scrolling for a week, and you’ll see how much life you were missing out on, and how happy you’ll feel without the constant noise in your head that comes from social media.
Express gratitude
While wishlists and spending money is a part of the holiday season, also be aware of how lucky you are to be able to celebrate in warmth, with people you love. The Greater Good Magazine shares that people who are consciously and consistently grateful “tend to be happier and less depressed.” Without gratitude, you’ll never find full happiness. The joy, laughter, and love that the holidays bring is worth more than any gift on your wishlist.
Be kind to yourself
Eat that extra slice of pie. Buy yourself those comfortable pajamas. Watch a hallmark movie instead of working. The holidays are about enjoyment, and spending time doing cozy and festive activities. The season only comes once a year, and you have to let yourself experience the warmth and merriment that comes with it!
Connect with others
The holiday season is all about being with loved ones, and spending as much time as possible with your friends and family will ensure a special season. Throw and attend holiday parties, plan sleepovers with your best friends, go out for hot chocolate all the time, shop for gifts with your mom, put in effort to see people! You’ll likely feel less inclined to spend time by yourself in bed, or scrolling on your phone. If you spend all of your time alone, you’re more likely to fall into an unproductive and dismal pattern, and less likely to create new memories while meeting new people and spending time with loved ones.
Make it special
The more you do for yourself and others to make the holidays joyful, the happier and more present you’ll feel. You can decorate your house, make homemade gifts, create a to-watch list of christmas movies, put in effort to be with people you love, make surprise trips to visit family, and even just play a holiday music playlist throughout the season. Anything you can do to embrace the holiday spirit in your own household is enough to make the season special and bright.
This holiday season, feel the childhood excitement that the holidays bring by being actively present, beginning with showing gratitude and taking time to initiate new memories and joyful moments.
