Ever wanted to milk the holiday vibe for as long as possible?
Let’s be honest the lead up to Christmas is stressful and family commitments can be trying.
Then somehow like magic Boxing day passes and all the pressure seems to fade away and you settle into holiday mode of freedom and start to really enjoy your time off.
With what seems like only minutes gone by, you realise your days off are dwindling and soon you are heading back to work.
Now back at work, your Christmas and New Year break is a distant memory and you notice that you have slipped right back into the busy fast paced working world. An invitation for stress – if you are not being mindful.
So how can you keep the holiday vibe going?
You definitely don’t have to wait until the end of this year to feel fancy free, relaxed and in the rhythm of life.
Lets examine a bit closer, really the only two things that have changed are:
- You physically don’t have as much free time up your sleeve
- Your holiday permission slip that you granted yourself to chillax and lighten up has expired, but you can extend it – its only a perception.
Four steps how to keep the holiday vibe going
Step one
Chose 1-2 favourite things (time depending) you did whilst on holidays that made you feel great about life and fit them into your week. Repeat weekly. Such as cooking your favourite meal for your best friend, watching the sunrise with a flask of coffee, having a bubble bath, snuggling up with your loved one, going to the beach, sleeping in and so on..
When the “I don’t have time” voice creeps in, answer it with “I can easily make time”. It is not that hard once you put in a few clear boundaries. Trust me, once you start to enjoy good times you will regularly find the time.
Step two
Drop any associated guilt you may have about making fun time, your life is supposed to feel good through out the year NOT just on holidays. Also make a decision to only worry about the things you have control over, and let go of the rest.
Step three
Work – under NO circumstances let work become so consuming of your time, energy and commitment that you have none left for yourself. If you are not in your dream job that inspires the pants off you, make sure to start and finish work on time and spend the remaining hours of your day having fun and finding things that inspire you.
Step four
Quiet “me” time for 15 minutes per day. Aim for every day, if you manage every second day you are doing great and WILL feel the difference in 2 weeks. This your special time is not to be shared with anyone else.
Ideas how to spend the 15 minutes: you can sit with a candle to calm the mind and nervous system, go out and enjoy nature, write a journal or do a meditation.
Tip – For best results, do first thing in the morning as you are more receptive to wellbeing after a nights sleep.