Holiday time gets such a bad rap for being stressful and intense – it’s almost a cliché now to expect newsletters, blogs, and yoga class themes to target holiday anxiety this time of year. 

And it’s understandable. Being around family can make you regress emotionally, and trash your good communications skills and ability to set clear boundaries.  Holiday shopping, endless dishes in the kitchen, and hosting family meals are no joke.

But just like anything else, our attitude in any given situation is what shapes our experience.

What if you shifted your outlook on holiday time from “fighting stress” to being a beacon of light, love, kindness, and compassion?

It’s as simple as making the decision to choose your state of mind and then following through with actions that help keep you uplifted.

Here are some ideas for staying connected to your brightest self during the holidays:

Do a little bit of preparation each day
If you’re hosting, rather than getting overwhelmed the day of the party or gathering or potluck you’re attending, do one or two things daily to prep in the days leading up to the event. If you’re a guest, offer to help with preparation.

Ask for help! Or be of help
If you’re hosting, don’t be a martyr and attempt to be a party host superhero. Enlist others and ask them to help you. Delegate specific, clear tasks that will take the weight off your shoulders. If you’re a guest, offer to take on some of the burden with shopping, clearing the table, cleaning the kitchen, etc!

Carve out solo time to move your body and settle your nervous system
In the mornings before everyone gathers for breakfast or activities later in the day, give yourself some “me” time – whether that’s a workout or a yoga practice, take the time to center yourself and do something for you. A seated meditation with repetition of mantra or affirmation can do wonders to reset your attitude, help you think more positively, and/or shift your state of mind.

Keep good company
If the people you’re with are difficult or challenging, start your mornings on the right foot by popping in your headphones with an inspiring audio book, podcast, or uplifting music while you’re getting ready for the day. This way when you join everyone, you’ve kept good company on the inside and can more smoothly navigate the challenges.

Stay hydrated and eat well
Nothing makes you more sluggish and cranky than poor digestion or constipation. If you’re drinking more alcohol than usual, hydrating can lessen the impact as well as help prevent constipation. As for food – the holidays are a great time to indulge in richer, sweeter foods and that can be very pleasurable – just be aware of how your choices might affect your mood and your energy levels, and choose accordingly!

Give these things a try and let us know in the comments if they help you be the life of the party this holiday season!

Featured image by Wout Vanacker on Unsplash

About the author:

Amy Ippoliti is known for bringing yoga to modern-day life in a genuine way through her intelligent sequencing, clear instruction, and engaging sense of humor. She shares her passion for yoga, health, earth conservation, with her writings for Yoga Journal, Organic Life, Prevention magazine to name a few. She has appeared on the covers of Yoga Journal, Boulder Lifestyle, and Fit Yoga Magazine and has been featured in Self Magazine, New York Magazine, Allure (Korea), and Newsweek and on the front page of Yahoo.com. A teacher on Glo.com, she is a pioneer of advanced yoga education, cofounding Vesselify (formerly 90 Monkeys). She is the co-author of The Art and Business of Teaching Yoga. Learn more at amyippoliti.com.