Five Tips to Stay Calm Over Christmas

 

Five Tips to Stay Calm Over Christmas

'Tis the season to be jolly...or stressed...or overwhelmed! But with a little help from your friends Yoga, Pranayama & Meditation, this year can be different. Here are my top 5 tips for staying calm over the festive period.

As you know, Yoga isn't just a physical practice and there are many different parts to it. With an already jam-packed schedule this week, it may seem impossible to fit anything else in, but even just 5 minutes of Meditation, 10 minutes of simple movement on your mat or even just being totally present & focused whilst you make a cup of tea, can make a huge difference.

1. Breathe

Our breath is a barometer of what is going on inside our body, If you are feeling stressed, anxious or even excited, your breath will quicken and be more shallow. Taking some Full Yogic Breaths is like sending love notes to your body - tension releases, muscles relax and minds quieten down. 4 Part Breathing (or Box Breathing) is a great way of to clear the mind, relax the body and spend a few mindful minutes. To practice this Pranayama, find yourself a comfy position and close your eyes. Imagine a box in your mind's eye with 4 equal sides. Inhale to the count of 4 up one side of the box, retain the full lungs for a count of 4 as we move along on the top of the box, exhale to the count of 4 as we move down the side of the box and retain the empty lungs for a count of 4 as we move along the bottom of the box. Continue for 3-5 minutes or until you are feeling calm and relaxed.

2. Positive Affirmations

A positive affirmation (or Sankalpa) is a short phrase or sentence, in the present tense, that is used to bring about a positive change in your life. We often use positive affirmations in classes, during Yoga Nidra or our Journaling sessions. When thinking of a positive affirmation, check in to make sure you are using positive vocabulary (think: I am healthy NOT I am not sick), that the affirmation is happening here and now (think: I am focused NOT I will focus) and that it is something that resonates with you.

3. Keep up a Consistent Practice

If you have a regular practice, keep it up! Try to stick to your regular routine as much as possible, but don't stress if this isn't happening at this time of year. Yoga teaches us to be flexible, not only in body but in mind too. There are now over 65 classes in the online library for you to use, with something to (hopefully) suit your needs and timescales - 15/20/45/60 minute classes, Yoga, Meditation, Journaling and Workshops too!

4. Stay Present

Stress usually comes from thinking about past events or worrying about future ones, but by working to stay in the present, we can relieve much of that stress. You can practice being present by taking some deep breaths and grounding yourself. Use your senses as an anchor, what does the ground feel like beneath your feet? How does the air feel on your skin? What can you hear? What can you see? What can you taste?

5. Practice Gratitude

This Christmas may not be the one we had hoped or planned for, but there are still so many things to be grateful for. Starting each day with a feeling of gratitude has a massive positive effect on our mental wellbeing. We can practice gratitude during the festive period, by celebrating the little wins, slowing down and appreciating giving and receiving gifts, spending time with loved ones or reaching out to those that we cannot be with.