Stress is our mind and body’s response to the responsibilities and demands of our lives. Stress is normal. When we experience a threat—whether it’s holiday traffic, passive-aggressive family members, or a family fight over Christmas dinner—our brains flood our bodies with stress hormones, like cortisol and adrenaline. Our bodies prepare to take action. Our heart rates spike. Our pupils dilate. Our muscles tighten. Everyone responds differently to different situations. My stress trigger may not be a trigger for you, we are all on our own journey.
The holidays should be joyful and restorative, but they’re often demanding. And this season, we’ll need to give ourselves and others some grace—a lot of it. Make no mistake: Stressful events will happen. But here’s the exciting thing: We get to choose how we respond to those events.
Refusing to let stress run your life is a daily choice. The key is to be intentional, plan ahead, and make choices that are easy to live out. This year, let’s put in the extra effort to get our minds and hearts in a good place before we head to Mom and Dad’s house for Christmas dinner . . . or before uncle Eddy plans his surprise visit.
Clearly picture the Christmas you want to have.
It is true that our thoughts create our reality, so let’s set expectations for yourself and others by painting a picture of what you want your Christmas to look like. Who’s sitting around the table at mealtime? What are you all eating? What are you talking about—or not talking about? Are you attending a church service? Playing games?
Whatever it is, keep that picture at the front of your mind. Share your picture with your loved ones so they can understand where you’re coming from. Ask them to paint a picture of what they want too so you can choose to honor them.
And if something comes up that threatens to take the place of what’s truly important to you and your family, give yourselves permission to say no.
Choose to have your calendar and to-do list reflect your picture of Christmas that you want to experience.
Limit your time on social media
There’s an overwhelming amount of information, nonsense and news in our country right now. Not only do we see it on our TVs, but now we’re seeing it through our social media feeds. It’s literally making us insane. When you’re stressed, stay off social media. Those perfectly curated Instagram and Pinterest feeds won’t do anything but allow you to compare your holiday plans to others. Social media pictures are fantasy. They’re not real. They don’t show the burned turkeys, family fights and mounting piles of credit card debt. This Christmas, spend more time looking into your loved one’s eyes than staring at your screens. Hold hands, not video game controllers. Throw a football or kick a soccer ball—in real life. Choose human connection, joy and laughter over thumbs-ups and retweets. Each one of your electronic devices comes with an off button. Use it.
Being sick at Christmastime is the absolute worst—but exercising, getting outside, and resting are all immune-boosting activities that will help you feel strong, peaceful and healthy. Use your oils, Some will help you sleep others will help you stay calm others will boost your immune system. Stress is part of life, so let’s do our part to be gracious and generous with ourselves and the people we care about.
November is the month to focus on gratitude. We celebrate Thanksgiving at the end of the month and you can take some steps to make this one the best ever. Ideally during this month we will change our mindset to make thankfulness a daily year round practice. We are pressured by the world around us each day to conform to their ways, which are often negative and depressing. We have the ability inside of us to transform our lives by changing our thoughts, it takes focus and it is so worth it! An attitude of gratitude can improve your health, your mood and your relationships. Here are some things I am grateful for.
1) Salvation- We are spiritual beings having a physical experience, I am grateful for Kingdom living for this physical journey.
2) Family- I am blessed with a big beautiful family and am truly grateful.
3) Friends- What would this journey be without my friends?
4) Church- It is wonderful to be able to connect with likeminded people.
5) Body- I am so happy that our bodies are intelligently designed to self heal.
6) Health- I am so grateful for my health and well being.
7) Job- I have been with the same company for forty years and am grateful for that.
8) Summer- I love warm weather and sunshine
9) Chocolate- let’s not forget chocolate.
10) Young Living- this company has changed my life for the better in so many ways and I am looking forward to better health and wellness in the years to come!
