TIS THE SEASON

A time for family, fun, food and creating amazing memories right?

Dina Sabnani Certified ThetaHealer, Soul Coach & Wellness Advocate

Instagram:@bodymindspirithealer

Facebook: Dina Sabnani-Bringing Joy Back 818-334-7721

While there can be so much joy during this time for so many, it can be such struggle to some.

During this time of year – stress levels go even higher for most and children are affected by it as well.

We go through so much by wanting to have everything perfect, wanting amazing decorations, needing every meal to be award-winning, finding time to attend the parties or getting upset you weren’t invited to some then comes the gift-giving and the financial pressures on top of it all.

Add to that so many people that have gone through loss this past year – the holidays can be especially hard. While everyone is making merry, they are reminded of their loss in times of celebration.

All of a sudden it doesn’t sound like a lot of fun!

So how do we make the holidays a time of joy?

Here are 5 simple tips to keep in mind as we go into this season:

1.Put YOU first.

Giving is great and this is the season of giving so remember to give to yourself first! Why? If you are taking care of yourself regularly and filling your cup, you are more likely to be in a better mood, less stressed and in a place of being able to take care of others! It doesn’t have to be a laborious project! Taking time to do things you like. Treating yourself to some pampering. Heck even getting some fresh air, exercise/movement and a good night’s sleep makes a HUGE difference. 2. Have a BUDGET & STICK to it!

The holidays can be expensive. Keep a track of your spending. Create a budget and stick to it! If you know financially you are tight then be creative in the gift-giving. Remember what it is all about – create memories that don’t have to cost very much and yet have bigger impacts. This is not the time to ADD to your financial strress going into the new year.

3.Make a tribute to lost loved ones.

It can be very hard to celebrate when you are grieving a loved one especially if it is the first holiday season without them. First, take the pressure off yourself to HAVE TO BE HAPPY during this season. We are human and have emotions. Honor them. Create a new tradition in some way to include their memory. If this proves to be challenging – a great way to shift focus is to go out and do something for those that are less fortunate. Gather the family and go volunteer somewhere. It’s an instant boost in gratitude to do things for others.

4. Plan Ahead.

Having things scheduled in a calendar, shopping for food, gifts, decorations ahead of time and basically scheduling things takes a lot of stress away. If you are traveling to see family, give yourself plenty of time on the road to get to places. Holiday traffic can be abysmal so making sure you have plenty of time is always helpful. Get to airports early. This may take some effort especially if you are a ‘fly by the seat of your pants’ kinda person but it is oh so worth it!

5. Only say YES to what brings YOU JOY. You don’t HAVE to say YES to everything you are invited to. It’s ok to pick and choose. If going to Aunt Becky’s Turkey dinner always breaks you out in hives – DON’T GO! She will get over it – or not but you will be saved from hating every moment you are there! Choose your priorities. Say NO to the rest. It gets easier the more you practice it. And your stress levels and that of your families will be so much less, which means more happiness!

Wishing you all a safe, peaceful, stress-less and love filled holiday season!