Want to move through the holiday season like an in control, at peace Pro? What if instead of quickly moving on from the Thanksgiving holiday right into the craziness of the Christmas or Hanukkah season, you paused each day to observe Thanksgiving - giving thanks? What would that look and feel like?
How would it feel to mindfully go to gratitude vs. stress during the hustle and bustle the December holiday season often brings? How would you like to feel in control amongst the chaos?
How would it feel to approach this holiday season like a trained pro and not a rookie who has never dealt with holiday stress?
For many of us, the extra time and financial demands, coupled with the self-induced pressures, obligations and expectations (we put ourself) of the holiday season and year end work projects, creates stress and anxiety vs. peace and joy.
The good news is we have the power to control and change how we respond by practicing one simple habit. Gratitude. Well, gratitude along with a few slow, deep breaths!
Whether at home or the office, taking just s couple minutes to slow down, and breath mindfully and deeply is an instant game changer! A Rock Star Pro Move.
Inhaling your blessings for the overwhelming, overscheduled, overindulged experiences vs. taking in stress-induced behaviors and emotions is an instant anti-stress tool. A powerful tool we all have within us - our internal power.
Here are 3 ways to practice thanksgiving (gratitude), overcome stress, take back your power like the pro you are, and create more peace and joy in your life this holiday season:
1. Declare An "I Am" Affirmation Each Day
I Am grateful for _______________________ (this experience, the opportunity to, etc.)
I Am blessed with _______________________
I Am at peace with __________________________
I Am Joyful
I Am Letting Go of _________________ (whatever no longer serves you!)
2. Practice Mindful Breathing
Take 3-5 Slow, Gentle Mindful Breaths: Inhale 4 counts in, hold for 4 counts then Exhale 4 counts out.
As you inhale peace, joy and gratitude and exhale letting go of any feelings of stress, resentment or anxiety, get still and notice how much better and at ease you feel.
3. Take it all One Bite At A Time
One holiday event/gathering, one shopping trip, one card, one work project and one task, while acknowledging gratitude for each and every one.
If you participated in the 30 Day Gratitude Challenge last year (or one this year), liked how it made you feel and it helped you, then continue on in December writing down what you're grateful for! This makes it a daily practice.
Our Thanksgiving practice (Gratitude) matters every day, not just on Thanksgiving day. Here's one of my favorite quotes by the author of The Happiness Project, that puts practicing a gratitude habit in perspective and helps me stay on track and regroup with all of my goals and practices:
"What we do every single day matters more than what we do once in awhile." - Gretchen Rubin
I am thankful for you and sharing a part of our journey together. The fact that you're reading this is a blessing and a connection to each of our stories. A journey that I've written about and am grateful to have completed in my first book,released earlier this year - "One Bite At A Time, A True Story of Transformational Change and 7 Life Lessons Learned to Help You Live Your Best, Healthiest, Happiest, Most Inspired Life".
I hope this week's Wellness Bite message serves and inspires you along your journey, and throughout the end of the year, to leverage your internal power and create more peace and joy this holiday season.
Gratefully yours every day,
SusanWant to move through the holiday season like an in control, at peace Pro? What if instead of quickly moving on from the Thanksgiving holiday right into the craziness of the Christmas or Hanukkah season, you paused each day to observe Thanksgiving - giving thanks?
What would that look and feel like?
How would it feel to mindfully go to gratitude vs. stress during the hustle and bustle the December holiday season often brings? How would you like to feel in control amongst the chaos?
How would it feel to approach this holiday season like a trained pro and not a rookie who has never dealt with holiday stress?
For many of us, the extra time and financial demands, coupled with the self-induced pressures, obligations and expectations (we put ourself) of the holiday season and year end work projects, creates stress and anxiety vs. peace and joy.
The good news is we have the power to control and change how we respond by practicing one simple habit. Gratitude. Well, gratitude along with a few slow, deep breaths!
Whether at home or the office, taking just a couple minutes to slow down, and breath mindfully and deeply is an instant game changer! A Rock Star Pro Move.
Inhaling your blessings for the overwhelming, overscheduled, overindulged experiences vs. taking in stress-induced behaviors and emotions is an instant anti-stress tool. A powerful tool we all have within us - our internal power.
Here are 3 ways to practice thanksgiving (gratitude), overcome stress, take back your power like the pro you are, and create more peace and joy in your life this holiday season:
1. Declare An "I Am" Affirmation Each Day
I Am grateful for _______________________ (this experience, the opportunity to, etc.)
I Am blessed with _______________________
I Am at peace with __________________________
I Am Joyful or I Am Energetic
I Am Letting Go of _________________ (whatever no longer serves you!)
2. Practice Mindful Breathing - Take 3-5 Slow, Gentle Mindful Breaths: Inhale 4 counts in, hold for 4 counts then Exhale 4 counts out.
As you inhale peace, joy and gratitude and exhale letting go of any feelings of stress, resentment or anxiety, get still and notice how much better and at ease you feel.
3. Take it all One Bite At A Time - one holiday event/gathering, one shopping trip, one card, one work project and one task, while acknowledging gratitude for each and every one.
If you participated in the 30 Day Gratitude Challenge last year, liked how it made you feel or helped you, then continue on in December writing down what you're grateful for!
Our Thanksgiving practice (Gratitude) matters every day, not just on Thanksgiving day. Here's one of my favorite quotes by the author of The Happiness Project, that puts practicing a gratitude habit in perspective and helps me stay on track and regroup with all of my goals and practices:
"What we do every single day matters more than what we do once in awhile." - Gretchen Rubin
I am thankful for you and sharing a part of our journey together. The fact that you're reading this is a blessing and a connection to each of our stories. A journey that I've written about and am grateful to have completed in my first book,released earlier this year - "One Bite At A Time, A True Story of Transformational Change and 7 Life Lessons Learned to Help You Live Your Best, Healthiest, Happiest, Most Inspired Life".
I hope this week's Wellness Bite message serves and inspires you along your journey, and throughout the end of the year, to leverage your internal power and create more peace and joy this holiday season.
Gratefully yours every day,
Susan