10 tips for more bliss through the holidays!

How much do I love this season?!? I love the snow; that our coastal community shuts down with it, so that you are reminded to slow down and be present. I love the sense of community; that seems to intensify in brightness as the daylight hours decrease. I love the excitement and anticipation; building annually as my little yogini remembers more of the previous years fun! I love the celebrations; that bring people together regardless of how busy regular life may be.

All that being said, it is easy to get caught up in the challenges of the season too; over-scheduling, heavier traffic, shopping lineups, etc...

Here are 10 tips to find even more happiness, relaxation, peace, renewal and bliss through the holidays!

1. Nourish yourself.  Nosh on plenty of whole grains and fresh veggies and fruit. Keeping your body feeling well by focusing your munching on high quality foods filled with nutrients, will allow you to enjoy all the holiday fun!
2. Schedule in time for movement. Make an appointment with yourself to get your body moving! You will be rewarded with renewed energy and increased happiness! Commit to a time in your schedule for you, and make it an appointment that is a priority ~ YOU are a priority! Join us for a special HolidayGROOVE class to enjoy a wiggle and a giggle to relieve holiday stress!
3. Resist over-scheduling. Look at your month and create space in your schedule for spontaneous fun! Try not to "should" on yourself ~ attend what means the most to you, and respectfully decline when you see over-scheduling happening.
4. Drink water!! Dehydration leads to headaches, lack of energy, illness, injury, etc. The water will help flush toxins (think: wine, sweets, salty appies) from your system and will keep you feeling energized!
5. Sing. It doesn't matter if you think you are perhaps not going to be the next Victoria/Canadian/American Idol, the vibration of sound is very healing ~ Christmas carols, traditional Sanskrit mantra (Om), your favorite top 40 song ~ all will do!
6. Take a walk. Fresh air. Time spent in nature. Exercise. A short walk can lower your blood pressure, reduce stress and invigorate you for the rest of your day...sounds good to me!
7. Breathe. This season is bound to, at some point, present moments that will test your patience ~ the party guest with completely opposing views, the panicked last minute shopper cutting in front of you in line, the service staff that is overstressed by a crazy shift and doing their best to cope. In those moments, close your eyes. Take a slow, deep inhalation filling your belly then your chest. For the exhalation, just let go of the breath and the stress. See yourself blowing your frustrations and worries away. Just by taking moments in your busy days to breathe, (pranayama in yoga) you can soothe anxiety, calm emotion, lower heart rate, reduce stress, quiet the brain and more. 
8. Lay down and put your legs up the wall ~ stay for 10 minutes. Relieves headaches, re-energizes more than a power nap, reduces swelling in legs (post hours of shopping, post extended work hours, post shoveling snow) and calms the mind.
9. Plan a break. Look ahead in your schedule to a time that you can book off for some high quality self-care. Though the holidays may get busy, if you know a break is on the horizon, that in itself can been invigorating! Book a weekend away, plan an unplugged (no phone/computer/TV) weekend at home, or join us for a New Year Yoga Day retreat.
10. Take time for you. What nourishes you? Create time for the self-nourishing activities you love most. Take a bath, write in a journal, craft and create a decoration, take a guilt-free delicious nap...

BONUS!

Keep it simple.  If you are hosting soirees this holiday, resist the temptation to go overboard. Provide foods which are easy to put together and require little work while the guests are there ~ your friends and family came to visit with you, not to do a taste test! Check out my Spinach and Artichoke Dip Recipe for a quick, yummy and healthy appy!

Wishing you a holiday filled with love, laughter and blissful fun!

Photo Props: YogaLifeScience via flickr