The pre-Christmas season is here! And with it begins a time that could hardly be more stressful.
You have far too many Christmas parties and appointments, you have to choose, buy and wrap a thousand presents, decorate the house, bake cookies, tidy up the place so that your visitors feel comfortable, coordinate who you can go to the Christmas market with and when, and incidentally get into the Christmas spirit and enjoy the season.
The bottom line is a large extra portion of mental load that mostly gets stuck on us women. On December 23, you feel just as far away from contemplation and anticipation as you do from your own sleigh with reindeer – I feel you!
If you’re in the mood for more me-time and less “Hans-Dampf-inallen-Gassen” this year, I’ve brought you some exercises and ideas.
1. peace, joy, pancakes – puff cake!
That’s what most people want for Christmas. Often, however, we tend to be on our toes and get on each other’s nerves.
When things go awry over the holidays, it often has to do with these factors: (too) high expectations and a lack of communication about them. Everything should be “in butter” or even better: perfect. Presents, Christmas tree, atmosphere, decorations, weather, food and children’s behavior. How realistic is it that this will all work out?
The following questions will help you to reflect on your expectations. Take a piece of paper and a pen and answer them.
- I have the following expectations of myself, my loved ones and the holidays.
- What can I realistically do about it myself?
- Who should know this expectation and can help me implement it?
- Why are these things particularly important to me?
- What do I think about myself if it doesn’t work out the same way?
Manage your expectations and let your loved ones know. They can’t read minds. 😉 Vote, then you have more chance of a relaxed holiday.
2nd Fun Fact: Even in December, the days have 24 hours.
But sometimes we take on as much as if it were 48 hours and then wonder why we are exhausted. This year, make a conscious decision about how you want to fill the days and how you don’t (anymore). Just because something has always been like that doesn’t mean it has to stay that way. You decide.
Do the following exercise and observe your reaction with curiosity.
- What’s coming up in December? Events. Traditions, what do I have to do, get, make, organize, decorate, etc.?
- Now I’m crossing out at least 30% of it and write down why this is a good idea and will do you good!
- How do you feel now? Relieved? Guilty? Courageous? Stressed out?
It’s okay if it doesn’t feel easy. Just observe your thoughts on this with curiosity and write them down.
Will the new list remain?
If not, why not? What is your biggest concern? How can the change still succeed?
3. the 90-second exercise
Especially if you think you don’t have time for mindfulness and a short break, you should do it!
Repeat the exercise several times a day. It reduces stress and helps you to come back to the here & now:
Stand up straight with both legs on the floor and your weight evenly distributed.
Close your eyes if it is possible and feels good for you. Alternatively, look at a point on the floor in front of you.
Place your right hand on your heart and your left hand on your stomach. Now consciously breathe in and out deeply for 90 seconds.
Focus on your breath and follow it. Feel how your stomach and chest rise and fall.
Let thoughts fly by.
Notice them and then gently direct your focus back to your breath.
You don’t have to achieve or accomplish anything.
All the feelings you feel are okay and are allowed to be.
Try one of these thoughts from metta meditation as you breathe and say it to yourself over and over again:
- May I be healthy and free from worries.
- May I be content and relaxed.
- May I be happy.
Fancy more?
You can find many more ideas in my free workbook “Ideas for a Christmas season with more cheer and less frustration.”
It’s packed full of tips, ideas and exercises to help you relax throughout December (and every other month).
Best of all, it’s completely free!
Just invest 10 minutes a day and do one of the exercises. Or the same one every day. Or all of them. Your result will be:
- More conscious handling of your own feelings
- Less stress by reflecting on your thoughts
- Less stress with the family thanks to better communication of expectations and realistic planning
- a more relaxed pre-Christmas period with more me-time and less hustle and bustle in the streets
As a double-certified mindset coach and entrepreneur, I support women who are tired of feeling like the Duracell bunny in everyday life and no longer want to be stressed out by stress.
So that you’re not already longing for the weekend on Tuesday afternoon, still have enough energy to read to your children in the evening and don’t despair after every vacation because you don’t know how you’re going to make it to the next one.
You can download the workbook here: To the workbook
I wish you every success and a relaxing Christmas season!
All my love,
Karin
PS: Let’s stay in touch!
Online: www.karin-obertreis.de
E-mail: karin@karin-obertreis.de
Instagram: To the profile
Podcast “Balance instead of burnout”: To the podcast on Spotify
About the author
Hi, ich bin Karin Obertreis. Ich bin Unternehmerin, 2fach zertifizierte Coach mit ADHS und Feministin. Leidenschaftliche Flohmarkt-Gängerin und Alleinreisende. Ich kann das Patriarchat nicht ausstehen und helfe deswegen Frauen dabei, sich innerlich davon zu befreien. Denn dort fängt jede Veränderung an. Auch die, die irgendwann gesellschaftlich werden.
