Spotlight: Give yourself a gift this holiday

It is beginning to look a lot like…the holidays!  Once Black Friday deal busters begin, and the shopping frenzy is in full motion, it is easy to forget the true meaning of the season, and our own needs. No matter which year-end set of holidays you celebrate (or none at all), consider giving yourself a few gifts.  

The gift of self-care
Do not stretch yourself so thin this holiday season that you lose sight of the things that make you feel healthy and strong. Get plenty of sleep. Get exercise. Consider taking a break from television and social media. Instead, give yourself a gift by getting outdoors to revel in the beauty of the season. Commune with nature and appreciate the wonders of the world around us. A brisk walk or outdoor activity can do wonders for your mental well-being. Bask in the awe and joy of the winter world.

Find wonder in the season
Ever wonder why the holidays sometimes lose their luster when we get older? Those feelings of excitement, happiness and discovery seem to get lost along the way, and things might feel empty or ho-hum rather than fun.

When we are young, the holidays are often full of mystery, new experiences, and opportunities to grow. We process each experience as something new. We sense the potential and the possibilities. It can seem magical at times, as we wait to unwrap presents and revel in the excitement of the holidays.

To get back to that state of wonder, be open to new experiences to feel the awe of the season. Try something new. Go into each experience with an openness and renewed enthusiasm—“Check your baggage at the door” and go into the moment with a sense of new possibilities and self-awareness.

Feel joy all season long
When we put too much pressure on ourselves or build up an ideal scene in our minds, we might be removing the joy, wonder, and excitement from the other moments surrounding it. Think about practicing mindfulness this holiday season. The weeks before the holidays can be just as festive and filled with happiness as the day you celebrate. The quiet moments and connections often have the most meaning.

In fact, sometimes the anxiety over that pinnacle “perfect” moment can be built up so much that we can barely enjoy the moment itself. Preparing for months for an ideal day or even a single moment can take the joy and satisfaction out of the journey and the learning process. Planning, shopping, cooking, preparing—these rituals of the holiday season can bring satisfaction, too. Engaging in a great conversation at a party or really connecting with a loved one over the season can be the true highlight.

Remember, there is no such thing as the “perfect” holiday
Instead of picturing that single perfect holiday moment, try to picture what your ideal month would look like. Are there family members and friends with whom you want to engage and connect with? Make these important people in your life a priority no matter what your other commitments are. These are the moments that will renew and revive you.

Are there activities that would be great ways to celebrate the season? If holiday lights really give you the sense of magic you long for, make it a priority to take a winter walk and enjoy the lights around your neighborhood. Treat yourself to a sensory delight like a peppermint latte or a gingerbread tea, and focus on the memories and feelings it conjures. Do not worry about snapping the “perfect selfie” or documenting the “perfect” moment. Simply enjoy it!

Embrace meaningful connections
Throughout the holidays we are given opportunities to stretch ourselves and tap into our emotional intelligence. We can worry and stress out, or we can rise to the occasion and come through the holidays with a greater understanding of ourselves and those around us—and build some great memories to boot!

Look at this season as an opportunity to build your momentum and propel yourself into a successful New Year of transformation, and connection and remember that another great way to do this is to take advantage of the many ways you can learn and grow through professional development opportunities offered to all staff at Yale!

“And now we welcome the new year.  Full of things that have never been.” – Rainer Maria Rilke