Feel Peace This Holiday Season

Well, it’s that magical time of year again.  At least I hope you’re able to view it the same way.  I love Christmas. If it were up to me we’d start celebrating mid November. But my partner Deryk says our tree would be dead by Christmas Day. So, instead, we always wait until the first Saturday in December and we go to a farm just 10 minutes from us and we pick out our tree. This has become a family tradition for us. We get the tree, Santa and Mrs Claus are in the barn for visiting and photos with no line ups, (I don't do the shopping mall Santa’s) and there’s a cute little shop where I pick up local blueberry honey and fresh apple cider.  This has become one of my favourite family traditions and I love to watch the smiles on my children’s faces. To me this is where the Christmas magic really is. 

I recently shot our Christmas episode for Chick Chat Sessions, which is my other passion project, with two phenomenal women entrepreneurs where we discuss important and relatable topics on a YouTube channel and I was surprised to find out that Christmas is stressful for both of them. And they basically told me that it’s more common for people to free stressed over the holidays than to feel happy. 

So one thing that I shared on that episode and something that I really want to share with you is, don’t do anything that feels obligatory. 

Say YES to things you genuinely want to do.

If it creates so much stress and anxiety for you it’s not worth it. 

But, I hear you.  Some of you are saying that you have to go to your family Christmas’s. And there you’re faced with expectation and this creates stress. And I really hope that you’ll take some time before going and really think about all of the positive things about everyone you’ll see. Shift your focus and you’ll instantly alleviate some of the tension. 

And something Sonya, my chick chat co host said was "I’ll just ask my mom how she likes her tomatoes cut”. And we laughed but it’s true.  Asking someone what they want or need from you can take away some stress also. 

Whether your feeling anxious or excited, I’ve made a list of my favourite things and I hope you’ll consider adding these to your life.  I promise they'll help you to live with more peace leading up to the holidays. 

First, do you own a rock salt lamp? We have three in our home, both my girls have one in their bedrooms and we have a larger one in our living room. I always keep it lit and I love the calm and peace that I feel from it. It simply balances the energy of a space by omitting negative ions that neutralize the positive ions that we get from our technology.  So this one little addition can make a big impact. 

Next, I love incense. Nag champa was introduced to me by a friend about 5 years ago and now this is the only kind of incense I buy. I light it every morning as it’s part of my morning routine and I take in the beautiful smell as I say positive affirmations out loud. 

Tea. Tea can be so soothing!! Right now I’m rotating between organic roasted dandelion root and cats claw tea and I always take time to sit and relax while I drink it. I think that’s the key. While I’m sure it tastes just as great on the go, there’s really something about making the time for tea. 

A good book. For me it’s either a healthy cook book or a book from the self help section. Even if it’s only 10 minutes a day, taking time to read helps me to grow and keeps my mind open and inspires me.  AND, taking the time for ourselves is so important.

Meditation. Don’t be intimidated by meditation.  I think I’ll do an upcoming podcast on this to explain a little bit more. I started meditating about a year and a half ago and it really felt like a missing puzzle piece. It’s about calming your mind and letting in peaceful thoughts. One of the easiest ways to get started is to simply go to google and type in guided meditation for peace, then find a relaxing and quiet spot where you won’t be interrupted and close your eyes and listen.

Take a bath. I don’t do this as often as I’d like at all. Pre kids this was part of my bedtime routine complete with candles and lavender essential oil which is such a beautiful smell that promotes relaxation.  Now it’s more peaceful for me to let the kids sleep since they’re both such light sleepers. But baths are something I want to start adding back to my life. In fact I’ve just decided that I should create a new bedtime routine. 

Honestly, I want you to go into the holidays with a calm and a peaceful heart. And I believe that by slowing down and taking time for some of your favourite things and maybe a few of mine, you’ll do just that.