How To Have A More Mindful Christmas This Year

We love Christmas time, though its hectic preparations and family stress can make the festive season a little tough to handle. Here, at April Notes, we advocate more mindful living and cherish the moments that allow us to pause. 

Mindfulness is all about slowing down and being present in the moment. It’s the practice of engaging fully whether you are eating, walking, or being surrounded by people.

This year we invite you to have a more mindful Christmas to avoid the usual chaos and overwhelm. Mindful holidays are the ones in which you make time for yourself and your loved ones. 

Check out these 5 different ways you can enjoy the holiday season more mindfully:

Make a plan

Did you know that making a plan and writing things down will make you feel instant relief and help you to approach things more mindfully? This little ritual invites you to be more intentional – with your time, your activities, your shopping, etc. 

Focus on creating memories

More than the gifts, we remember the memories. Make a list of family traditions that you want to establish or continue this year. Christmas traditions are necessary, they help us bond closer together, create memories that will last a lifetime, and give us something to look forward to.

Practice mindful eating

Mindful eating is when we are fully attentive to the food we buy, prepare, serve and eat. With mindful eating, we don’t let our minds wander off. Instead, we can enjoy the experience and feel the presence of everyone around us. 

Food is a joy! Here are a few tips to make the dining experience even more mindful:

• Eat with all 5 senses. Before you pick up your food, notice how it looks. Notice its color and size, pay attention to its flavor, and how it makes you feel
• Eat more slowly and enjoy the taste of each bite
• Don’t starve all day! When you feel very hungry, it becomes a real challenge to eat mindfully
• Be mindful of when your body is telling you ‘I am full’
• And most importantly - be present and share this beautiful experience with your loved ones.

Limit Social Media usage during Christmas time

Did you know that social media has been linked to increased feelings of loneliness and impacts our emotional wellness? The Holiday season is the perfect time to take time off social media to allow you to be present with loved ones and catch up with family and friends you haven’t seen all year. Being mindful and putting phones down for a while allows us to pause and have the time to make new memories. 

Let go of perfectionism

So often we get caught up in the process of making the holidays “perfect.” We want all to be picture perfect: the perfect playlist, the perfect presents, the perfect look, the perfect food, etc. There is no such thing as absolutely perfect, let’s not get lost in comparison with others. Replace “perfect“ with “good enough“ and enjoy the moment.

It’s always the little things that matter the most. For this Christmas and the coming New Year, we wish us all time, quality time.

With Love,

April Notes