WELLNESS CONNECTION · Life Balance

Staying Balanced During the Holidays

By Petra Beumer, M.A., Lifestyle Consultant

December 16, 2009 - 6:00AM

With the holidays upon us, you may find yourself having expectations of how "things should be." There is pressure to find the perfect gift, send holiday cards out on time or keep from indulging in too much decadent food. Staying balanced while still maintaining a sense of holiday cheer can be a challenge. It is important, amidst all of the chaos and confusion, to pause and ask yourself: Am I expecting too much of myself? Am I allowing myself to enjoy the spirit of the holidays? Am I feeling balanced?

Some helpful tips to keep you balanced this holiday season:

Be mindful of your energy levels

Take small breaks

Re-prioritize your tasks

Shift focus

Keep a positive attitude

Be kind and gentle with yourself

Ask for help and delegate

Reframe negative thoughts into positive ones

"Finding balance is not an issue of time, but an issue of choice," according to Joan Gurvis and Gordon Patterson, authors of Finding Your Balance. The importance of maintaining clear choices stems back to supporting an individual's core values.

One strategy to support your "core" is to practice deep breathing throughout the day or build "islands of peace" into your daily schedule with small breaks throughout the day to meditate or take a walk. Another strategy is to put things in perspective. Ask yourself "Is this really worth worrying about?" Most of the time you'll discover it is not.

Remember to have fun, too. Things don't have to be perfect and you don't have to be perfect. The holidays are a time to celebrate your life with loved ones. Let go of expectations and remember what really matters to you.

Be well and enjoy!

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