The holidays are upon us and it may just feel a little different. Whether we are socially distancing or employment isn't where it once was or just the general feeling of ennui from 2020, we just might not be in the holiday spirit. However, as easy as it is to wallow in self pity and endless streaming of the latest shows, we encourage you to keep up with some of what lifted your spirits in the holidays past. To help with this, here are six tips to help get you into the holiday spirit.
1- Spend Time Outside
Nothing will get your body acknowledging the change in the year quite like feeling it on your skin. Feel the temperature change, see the night slowly getting longer, notice the changing in the foliage around you. Our ancestors built holidays up by acknowledging the cycle of the year so get to the roots and see and feel these things yourself. Not only does spending time outside act as a natural stress relief, it also helps our biorhythms connect to the world around us.
2- Force the Feeling a Little Bit
If you are fortunate enough to live in a place still warm, there is no harm in speeding the process along. Drop the air conditioner and pull out the comfy pj's and hot cocoa anyways. It is not the same but it will help lift the spirits, especially of children who may be feeling more down than usual during this holiday season.
3- Fake it Till You Make it
I personally do not have a lot of memories surrounding this time of year with family. Between academic and ballet schedules, December was a busy month with little time for anything else. This schedule continued into my adult life and I admittedly became a bit of a humbug. Not happy with being the wet blanket this time of year I started making an effort to create the holiday. I bought the decorations and made them my own, started learning the recipes and throwing the parties and somewhere along the line I started to enjoy the holiday season. Don't let past trauma or experience ruin these times for you. You can rewrite the script and create a way of celebrating that is uniquely your own.
4- Stay in your Diet
Though a knee jerk idea to get into the holiday spirit is to fill up on holiday indulgences resist the temptation to throw your whole diet away! Increased levels of sugar and fats will only provide a very short term positive reaction but will leave you feeling sluggish and lethargic for the rest of the day. Instead, focus on creating these sweets and sharing them with loved ones and indulge within smaller quantities.
5- Do Service
No matter what your religious background or lack thereof, we all know that winter is the hardest time of the year for the poor. Inclement weather can add to delays, older cars breakdown, heating bills go up, the list goes on. If you just aren't feeling in the spirit considering donating your time or resources to a local charity. You can donate old clothes, work a food distribution line, collect gifts for kids or even foster kittens and puppies to add both an added glow to the holidays and save a life. The type of service you do is up to you, but the thing that is undeniable is the good feeling you get when you do good for others.
6- Decorate with Holiday Music
Whatever your holiday tradition, nothing gets you in the mood quicker than decorating. Put on your favorite music and indulge in a snack that will keep your energy up throughout the day. Once you are down with your decorations, sit down and admire the work. While this is fun solo, it is even better with a friend! So don't be shy to call someone you love to help.
This is by no means an all inclusive list, but these six tips should help get you started to have a festive and warm holiday season. Do you have any tricks that get you in the mood for the holidays? We would love to hear your comments or questions at info@bullionite.com