De-stress Your Holiday Season

When I really understood the deep, spiritual energy that moves in December, it just seemed like a wise decision to stop all of the outer hoopla connected with holidays. The God force is moving to the core of the planet and to the core of our hearts. We are all being touched and filled with new light and new life.

This is the time for us to go inward; make room at the inn for the Spirit to take root deeper in our hearts. It’s time for regenerative work in our cells, hearts and minds.

During December many celebrate Christmas, Kwanza, Hanukkah and the Buddhist celebrate Bodhi Day (Dec. 8). All of the celebrations have rituals connected to them.

It is believed that the dark nights of winter are when the veil between the spirit world and the living world is the thinnest. It is therefore an appropriate time for self-examination and meditation on hidden energies – both the energies lying dormant within the earth and also those within ourselves. Yule traditions celebrate nature’s renewal and help affirm our connection to the energy and power of the earth and the cosmos. The days before and after Winter Solstice, December 21, are considered to be the best time for spiritual work. Here are a few things to consider during the holiday season.

SPIRITUALIZE YOUR HOME

It is thought that frankincense is good to purify your environment. After you have gotten your space clean and in order, burn frankincense incense and affirm, “My home is clear of all negativity and only love, joy, peace and abundance abide here now.”

I love the smell of cinnamon and it is said to be good for attracting prosperity. Burn a little cinnamon in a disposable pie or muffin pan. Cinnamon tea is very good for digestion also. Put up a nice fresh wreath. The wreath’s circle symbolizes the wheel of the year and the completion of another cycle. Holly represents the female element; ivy represents the male. Like evergreens, holly was believed to contain a mysterious life force because it bore berries in the middle of winter. Both holly and ivy were thought to have magical properties and were used as protection against negative elements.

Put splashes of red in your home during the holidays as a reminder of new life. Red candles, a bowl of red apples or red bulbs makes any space bright and alive. You don’t have to have a lot of money to make your home a sacred place that looks and smells good.

I have always observed the custom of having all of my clothes washed before January 1 rolls in and having my home in order also. I often burn a Bayberry candle on the first day of the year for prosperity.

SET REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS

If you plan to have the house decorated, tins of homemade baked cookies, all gifts purchased and wrapped and the Christmas cards mailed by December 2, consider the actual time you have available to you. Expecting perfection is a certain path to disillusionment. Be satisfied with what is doable for your family and don’t compare yourself to others. If you can’t find white space on your calendar, you’re too busy. Make necessary adjustments to provide some downtime. Reduce gift giving. Is it necessary to give a gift to everyone on your list? Look for ways to opt out of exchanging gifts with certain friends or family members. Be honest and suggest an alternative.

Enlist help. Don’t feel it can’t be done right unless you do it yourself. It’s OK if the wrapping paper is crooked, a bow is sideways or the nametag is smeared. You’ll still get the job done and provide family fun by allowing your children to help. Getting swept up in a buying frenzy leads to financial frustrations and stresses in the new year. Resist the temptation to plunge yourself into financial chaos. Avoid credit card purchases.

Promote togetherness. Family unity can easily evaporate during the holidays if you don’t focus on making memories. Make time for things you really enjoy. Pop popcorn, rent a Christmas movie and cuddle up by the fire. Go caroling at a nursing home or visit an elderly friend. If you are a musical family, pull out the instruments for an evening of playing or singing.

SPIRITUALIZE YOUR BODY

Maintain a routine. Keep exercising despite increased schedule demands. Skipping your usual workout leads to less energy and weight gain. Twenty minutes of vigorous exercise a day reduces stress and helps you sleep better.

Take time for yourself. Claim a quiet moment early in the morning or evening to sit down with a cup of hot tea and whatever feeds your soul; a positive book, a CD, a magazine or spend time in prayer and thanksgiving for God’s greatest gift …your life.

Take relaxing baths. Sea salt baths assist in eliminating toxins from the body. Treat yourself to a nice bottle of lavender oil. Put a few drops in your bath water. Wear it as you would a cologne or perfume. Put a few drops in a spray bottle with a little water and use it as a spritzer for your body or room. Lavender is calming and healing. It’s the one essential oil everyone needs to carry in their purse or pocket. Whenever I feel a pain, tightness or discomfort, I whip out my lavender oil and it works miracles. Listen to your body. When you get a headache, don’t just pop a pill; stop and be still. Your body is always trying to talk to you. In closing I leave you with this.

The last of the Cathars (a religious sect) was burnt by the Inquisition of the Roman Catholic Church at Montsegur, Languedoc, France in 1244, but they left behind this prophecy: that the Church of Love would be proclaimed.

It has no fabric, only understanding.
It has no membership, save those who know they belong.
It has no rivals, because it is non-competitive.
It has no ambitions it seeks only to serve.
It knows no boundaries for nationalisms are unloving.
It is not of itself because it seeks to enrich all groups and religions.
It acknowledges all great Teachers of all the ages who have shown the truth of Love.
Those who participate, practice the Truth of Love in all their beings.
There is no walk of life or nationality that is a barrier.
Those who are, know.
It seeks not to teach but to be and by being, enrich.

Design for yourself a relaxing, meaningful and enriching holiday. You get to choose this year.