Take a breath and have a massage to beat holiday stress.
It seems like everywhere you look, there is some article or TV show about how stressful the holiday season can be and how it brings out the worst along with the best in people. Since I teach mindfulness for birthing, I thought I’d take a moment to consider how the same practices would be especially helpful for dealing with this time of year.
1. Take a breath. Whenever you find your blood pressure rising, pause and take a breath. Since we can only really focus on one thing at a time, while you are concentrating on yourself breathing, you simply aren’t focusing on the thing that was causing you the stress in the first place. I like to take a “cookie breath” (I got that from a play therapist I know). Imagine as you inhale you are breathing in the wonderful aroma of your favorite cookies baking. Then exhale with a nice yummy-like “ahhhhh.”
2. Observe your experiences. Mindfulness isn’t all about taking time to stop and smell the roses. It is also about noticing the thorns. Being mindful means observing all of it, without judging or analyzing. For example, while shopping in the mall, if you notice yourself starting to feel tense and frustrated, pause for a moment, take that cookie breath, and then just observe. Notice the lovely decorations, the smell of pine and candy cane, and the holiday music playing in the background. But also observe the loud noises, the chaos of people bustling about, and the frenetic energy of the busy stores. Take it all in – but here’s the trick – without getting swept away by it. Notice how people push by each other, but don’t put a value judgment on it – like “Boy, people are so rude at this time of year.”
3. Enjoy this time with your baby. Even if your she or he is still in your belly, they are experiencing what you are, so be sure to have fun and share that with your baby. Rub your belly, talk to your baby – tell them about all the wonderful aspects of the season. Imagine your baby in a couple of years ripping open packages and playing with…the boxes. What do you love the most about this time of year? Share those stories with your baby.
4. Get a massage. When we feel tense and stressed emotionally, we experience it physically, too. Massage helps you to be aware of how you’ve been holding that tension and then – and here’s the best part – helps you let it go. During a massage, most people are able to quiet their critical mind and truly relax. So massage is not only good for helping with all the aches and pains but also the mental stress of the holidays. Give your partner a not-so-subtle hint – massage is something you’ll never want to re-gift!
Happy holidays!
Feeling inspired? Call 781-429-1500 today to book a massage at Isis or give massage as a gift.
