Wrapping Up 2022

With Christmas just around the corner, it is time to press pause for yourself, before the silliness kicks in!?

We all know how this time of year works out - we work right up until the Christmas shutdown period, all the while, we’ve attended several work Christmas shindigs, then do our best to host or prepare for Christmas, followed by gorging ourselves with food & drinks, managing tense family relations, and then we repeat a few more times with friends and family until New Years Day.?

Whilst it's all fun eating, drinking and being merry, we do tend to forget about ourselves and our own self care.

So this year, I am asking you to pause and take 5 minutes for yourself, each, and every day of the Christmas holidays, so you can be more present, mindful and grateful.

Here are my tips and suggestions on how to care for yourself during this silly season.

1. Find a quiet place, sit down, close your eyes and breathe deeply into your belly for 4 seconds and exhale for 8 seconds. Do this for a few minutes, then stop and reflect upon how you are feeling within.
2. Take your shoes off and go ground - on the grass, sand, beach, soil, whatever tickles your fancy, just let your feet reconnect with the electromagnetic energy from the earth.
3. Sit in the sun, close your eyes and notice the smells and sounds around you.
4. Write down 3 things that you are grateful for in your life, they needn't be materialistic things, but more meaningful, such as: your health, your children, the sun shining on your face, whatever fills your heart up.
5. Sit still, breathe deeply and notice any sensations that are coming up in your body. Don't label or judge them, just let them be and breathe into it, noticing if that sensation moves to another part of your body. If you notice any tension, again, breathe into the space and let it dissolve.
6. Tell someone that you love them, are grateful for them and appreciate the things that they do. We can get busy and forget that this time of year is to spend it with our loved ones, putting aside any differences and being present to enjoy each moment.
7. Drink water consciously and if you are drinking alcohol, then be sure to keep hydrated (with water) - your body will thank you in the morning.
8. Turn off your electronic devices. The world isn't going to end. Give your body a break from that dopamine hit and stop checking your phone 3245 times a day or every 45 seconds. Nothing much has changed. Try it for a few hours, so you can truly be present.
9. Unclench your jaw. Drop your shoulders. Shake your hands out. Move your eyes side to side. Stick out your tongue and exhale. Take 3 deep belly breaths. Move your body in any way that feels good. Go with the flow.
10. Reflect upon the year that was, write down your biggest milestones, achievements or things that truly lit you up. Recognise those moments, be grateful for them and thank yourself for it.

Whatever it is you choose to do, do it consciously and with self love. This time of year can be fun but it can also be hard for many, who have lost loved ones. So this Christmas, truly be in the moment, be grateful for those with you at the table, because next year, you never know who you will be sitting with at Christmas next year.

Be kind to yourself, be mindful and share that love around. Turn off that phone if you can and breathe. If you do get triggered by those family conversations or tense family relations, don't let it get to you, just smile, take a deep breath and walk away.?

If you need any more tips or meditations to help you get through this period or would like to transform your life in 2023, I have 2 spots left for coaching starting in January. DM me or give me a call, I am here to serve.

Merry Christmas and may you have a glorious restful break, ready to concur 2023 in a new and meaningful way. Love and light to you all.?

Camilla.