The holidays are busy. Everyone is rushing around to get ready, there tons of parties and family events and sometimes the holidays leave you more tired than rested.
This week I talked to body psychotherapist and poet Jeremy Fulwiler about ways to stay grounded, the biggest challenge he’s overcome and his new book, Prodigal Selves.
You can watch the full interview here.
So how do we stay grounded during the holidays? According to Jeremy sometimes it’s better to take things off your plate, than to put more things on it.
1. Consume Less Media
There is an incredible amount of news and advertising and it can stress you out. This holiday season consider deleting an app that stresses you out or making rules about screen free time (ex. during meals, have your morning coffee first and then look at your phone, no screens after 9 pm). Since the news and social media is often a cause of stress, limiting the amount of time you spend consuming it will keep you more grounded and stress free :).
2. Notice When You’re Worrying
Another cause of stress is worrying and the first step to stopping your worries is to be aware of them. If you’re worrying about how to get all your shopping done or your reports in, take a moment to stop and notice. You can use the serenity prayer which was written American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr:
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.
If you can change the thing you’re worrying about, do it and if not think about something else instead or do an activity that is relaxing.
3. Feel Your Body
The last activity Jeremy offered us was feel your body. If you’re feeling stressed stand up, unlock your knees and bend them slightly and then feel all the feelings in your body. Breathe and notice what’s happening.
This simple exercise will leave you feeling more calm.
I highly recommend you watch the whole interview so you can soak up all the wisdom Jeremy share with us. Watch it here!
Have a great weekend!
Bryn
