Holidays can be a source of joy, anticipation and excitement. But for some they can also be a source of anxiety and depression.
Maybe you only see your family on holidays so traveling and getting together for a holiday may be more stressful than fun. Others may have negative emotions attached to memories of past holidays so there can be triggers that bring back those negative feelings. In some cases this may be the first holiday we spend since losing a loved one and there may be a feeling of sadness and emptiness. Whatever the case, if the holidays tend to trigger sadness, depression, a feeling of loss, or unpleasant memories there are things we can do to pull ourselves out of the Holiday Blues. Meditation is the catalyst to finding Mindfulness. And when we begin to practice Mindfulness we begin to notice our moods around activities, people, places and things. We can become more mindful of triggers that bring up these uncomfortable feelings and develop healthy counter-reactions to these triggers. For example, if going to a family gathering brings up memories of the past where the gatherings brought arguments, disagreements or a pattern of emotional abuse, even just the thought of attending yet another gathering can cause an anxiety attack or depression. By learning to use mindfulness we can notice the triggered feeling as it arises, take note of how this anxiety feels in our body and take a breath with intentional relaxation. Breathing actually stimulates the relaxation center in the brain so a few simple deep breaths can do wonders. Remind yourself where you are, how cold or warm the air is, take notice of your surroundings by seeing tangible objects, smelling the air, feeling that deep breath in your lungs and feel your feet steady on the earth. Now remind yourself that you are safe and all is well - that you are in charge of your life and how you will interact with the world and the people in it. And smile! Smiling releases endorphins in your brain bringing a feeling of happiness and contentment. You can make a difference in your emotional state by learning meditation and mindfulness. By developing a mindfulness meditation practice, even for just a few minutes each day, you can learn how to balance your emotions and allow more happiness in your life. *Joanie Lane is the Director and a Teacher at "A Positive Light" Center for Spiritual Awakening. For more information on Joanie and the center visit www.apositivelight.com
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