Thanksgiving is next week and the holiday season is in full swing. Everywhere I go I see stressed looking people, road rage in the parking lots, exhausted parents yelling at their overtired children, bickering partners and so on. Are you one of them? If so, why? Take time to reflect upon this for a moment. Do you need to scale down your holiday plans? Reduce the number of events you attend or gifts you give? Does the mere thought of scaling back nearly send you over the edge? Especially during the holidays, I suggest doing the following on a daily basis:
- Meditate or engage in deep breathing exercises
- Get enough sleep
- Exercise daily
- Eat well
- Enjoy yourself, your family, your partner
Still feel you’re pressed for time? Below are links to TED talks on practicing patience:
Ready to fully embrace the concept? I suggest you take time to read Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life by Thích Nhất Hạnh. As described by the publisher, “In the rush of modern life, we tend to lose touch with the peace that is available in each moment. World-renowned Zen master, spiritual leader, and author Thích Nhất Hạnh shows us how to make positive use of the very situations that usually pressure and antagonize us. For him a ringing telephone can be a signal to call us back to our true selves. Dirty dishes, red lights, and traffic jams are spiritual friends on the path to “mindfulness”—the process of keeping our consciousness alive to our present experience and reality. The most profound satisfactions, the deepest feelings of joy and completeness lie as close at hand as our next aware breath and the smile we can form right now.”
Enjoy the holidays!
Disclaimer: This blog is not designed to diagnose, treat, or prevent illnesses or trauma, and Dr. Emick is not responsible for your use of this educational material or its consequences. Furthermore, reading this blog does not create a doctor-patient relationship. The information contained within this blog is not intended to dictate what constitutes reasonable, appropriate, or best care for any given physical or behavioral health issue, nor does it take into account the unique circumstances that define the health issues of the reader. If you have questions about the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of a condition or illness, you should consult your personal health care professional. As always, consult with your personal health care professional before beginning or changing any fitness or nutrition program to make sure that it is appropriate for your needs. Dr. Emick reserves the right to modify her positions on a subject based upon new research or data as it presents.