Are you feeling rushed, stressed, overwhelmed, or exhausted this holiday season? Worried about finances while also worrying about buying the perfect gift for a loved one? Because you do not want others to think you are rude you say ‘yes’ to attending every holiday event you’ve been invited to while working longer hours or spending unproductive time in traffic? Disappointed about how this holiday season has unfolded for you?

You are not alone! Most of our people coming to Flourish have been feeling all of the above. Stress, overwhelm and exhaustion can look like tightness in the chest or shoulders, sleep and appetite disturbances or having catastrophic thoughts on what would happen if you didn’t do everything you want to get done.

While we encourage everyone to be mindful, slow down, and notice what your mind and body need all year long, it is especially important to embrace mindful awareness of what you need this time of year. We often repeat the mantra “I’m fine” or “I’ll figure it out” while dismissing internal feelings of distress, fatigue, or discomfort as a way to push through jammed schedules, financial stress, or challenging family or work interactions. The more we ignore and dismiss the stress that we are experiencing under the hood, the more likely we are to get sick, to withdraw from others, or cannot find a way to relax and enjoy the holiday spirit.

Some of you reading this are generous in the way that you give to others, not just in gifts or material objects. You may give quick to give forgiveness, understanding, support to those who may not give you very much in return. If this is you it is especially important to consider some of the gifts of below to give to yourself.

Self-compassion means to bring kindness and understanding to yourself instead of criticizing things you have done or said, things you haven’t done or said, or judging yourself for various shortcomings or personal failures. By giving yourself a warm hug, an acknowledgment that you are having a tough time, or kindness if you have forgotten to send a gift on time, your nervous system will release stress and ground into a sense of calm and help you to accept that you are not supposed to be perfect 24/7. For self-compassion practices from Dr. Kristen Neff, a pioneer in the study and measurement of self-compassion, click here.

Nourishing oneself is more than just eating healthy; nourishment is the act of bringing in critical elements for humans that enable us to thrive and flourish. Yes, our American bodies are in desperate need of organic fruits and vegetables, purified water, and restful sleep. But nourishing yourself can come in other forms too, such as 1) taking 3 minutes of your day to do a breathing exercise, like one of these; 2) getting outside to walk or sit in the sun for 10 minutes; 3) spending time connecting with people or pets in your life that are beloved; 4) taking a 30-minute break to really listen to music by picking out the different instruments or voices, noticing the rhythm or following along with the lyrics; 5) moving your body with purpose and attention to your limits or areas of expansion with yoga, pilates, aerobics, martial arts, dancing or weight lifting; 6) taking a power nap in the middle of the day.

Dr. Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory discovered that humans are literally wired for connection to others which he terms ‘social engagement’. Engaging with others, especially in person, can activate the vagus nerve, promoting relaxation and reducing stress. Getting out into your community of friends, neighbors or colleagues in a positive way to talk with, walk with, play with, eat with, or dance with will promote a sense of trust and safety within your nervous system, which in turn will bring the gift of fulfillment and calm within you.

We all can find time, even if it is only 10 seconds, to acknowledge or appreciate the spectacular color blue that often paints the skies here in Austin or a genuine offer of assistance from an acquaintance or friend. By pausing to appreciate the present moment, your current circumstances, certain people in your life, the way you decorated your bedroom, the greeting you receive from your pet whenever you come home or the nearly infinite wonders that make up planet Earth, practicing gratitude can fill you with warmth and joy. You can practice gratitude with silent reflection, a mantra or prayer that you say out loud, creating art that specifically appreciates something or someone, or through journaling / writing.