Focusing on the Good During the Holiday Season

Remembering the Good Things About the Holidays

This year has been a lot. The effects of COVID-19 and the way that the pandemic has changed our economy, home, work, and school situations has turned the entire year of 2020 on its head, so if you’re having a hard time looking forward to or getting excited about the upcoming holiday season, you’re not alone.

The world still looks very different for most of us, and while it can be hard to let go of the stress and worry that you’ve been carrying all year long, allowing yourself to focus on the joys of the holiday season and bringing in some mindfulness can help you release tension and enjoy the present moment.

Celebrating Togetherness with Family and Friends

Being able to spend time with the people you love most is one of things that may look very different this year. Even if the holiday parties and sports events you traditionally attend with your loved ones are not happening this year, there are other ways to safely celebrate togetherness.

Sitting at safe distances around a bonfire and sharing memories on a crisp fall evening or enjoying virtual game and movie options while you’re in different locations can help foster that feeling of closeness that we crave so much during the holidays. And with so much change constantly coming at us, it can be hard to remember to find the gratitude. Even if your family gatherings are not the same, taking a mindful moment to cultivate gratitude for your loved ones and the time that you have together can bring more meaning to whatever your celebrations look like this year.

Being around family can also mean being around conflicting opinions. Learn how to keep an open mind with 7 Days of Embracing Diversity.

Sharing Holiday Meals Near or Far

It’s challenging to look forward to one of the most cherished parts of the holidays – the large spread of festive foods – with the pandemic leaving more open seats at holiday tables this year, and possibly finding large family meals cancelled altogether. At a time where everything looks and feels different, having these beloved traditions change can feel overwhelming.

Sharing a meal together can be a virtual experience as well as an in-person one, and it may be a fun change to see what each person chooses as their individual holiday meal rather than all eating the same things. Practicing mindful eating together and having in-the-moment awareness of the food you’re putting into your bodies, as well as feeling the gratitude for the meal and all of the people involved in getting it to your tables, can bring these experiences to the next level.

Worried about maintaining your weight this holiday season? Our Social Eating & Holiday Weight Loss session can help you stay balanced.

Time to Focus on Loved Ones and Self-Care

It may feel like 2020 has been longer than most years, but time is also something that you can find joy in and express gratitude for. The drastic changes that we have experienced since the beginning of the year may have earned us some well-deserved time away from the stressors in our lives, and in addition to allowing us more time to make memories with friends and family, it’s also a great opportunity to mindfully reconnect with ourselves.

Allowing yourself some time to bring your focus inward, and lean into any feelings that may come up during the process can be a cleansing experience. Adding a loving kindness meditation can also help build your mindfulness foundation.

Being Fully Present This Holiday Season

The holiday season is the most loved and anticipated time of the year for most of us, and although it’s going to look a little different, there are still a lot of things to be grateful for and find joy in. With the love and support of our loved ones, and a little bit of mindfulness, we will continue to thrive.

Written by Becky Greiner