Happy Thoughts- Navigating the Holidays with Less Stress and More Joy

Thank you for joining us on this episode of the Positive Affirmations And Audio Stories podcast.

Today we're talking and thinking about how to make it through the Holiday period with less stress and more joy, inside and out. What's your feeling about this subject?


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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
Hi is to find you over at positive informations and
audio stories, bringing you happy thoughts, words to entertain, inspire you,
and more. We use the power of positive words to
help you live the positive, happier life that you deserve.

(00:28):
Now we are speeding up to the holidays. Whether you're
ready or not, they got to come. So today's little
talk is about navigating the holidays with peace and joy.
We've got ten tips that you can use as you like.

(00:51):
Hopefully some of them will resonate with you to try
to prepare mentally and spiritually for the holiday period so
you can enjoy this special time with less stress and
more joy. The holiday period, if you look at all
them movies cinema, the holiday period is the rosiest, happiest,

(01:18):
most wonderful time of year. Everybody is your friend, everybody
loves you. But sometimes it's not like that, and that's
just the way it goes. Let's try some of these
tips to help us to chill a bit more over

(01:41):
the holidays, a little bit less stress, a little bit
more joy. First thing, let's remind ourselves, really, the holidays
are a time for connection, for gratitude and love, So

(02:01):
let's focus on that. What matters the quality time with
your loved ones. Even if you have to spend some
time with people who are maybe not your favorite people,
there might be other times when you can be with
people who bring you joy and lift your spirits. So

(02:22):
try to keep a balance there if you can, and
let go of those unrealistic expectations that everything has to
be perfect, the perfect gifts, the perfect dinner, the perfect meetings.
Sometimes just be open. Just be open and flowing and

(02:46):
accept what is and do your best. Next step out
of our ten top tips, make a plan so you
don't get bogged down with things to do and get
all stressed out and get into the mindset that you
can't wait till the holidays are over. Recognize your tasks,

(03:10):
your events, make some shopping lists, break down your larger
tasks into smaller, manageable steps, and set realistic deadlines. Don't
wait until the last minute unless that's your style and
it gets you going. Generally speaking, don't wait till the
last minute because you'll just get stressed out trying to

(03:31):
make the perfect dinner, the perfect presence, the perfect This
is the perfect bet, So try to break your tasks
down and be flexible. Adjust your plans if needed. If
you're planning one thing and some unexpected guests arrive, or
anything that you hadn't thought was going to come up,

(03:53):
flow be flexible. Top Tip number three learn to say no.
Prioritize your self care and avoid over extending yourself. It's
okay to decline invitations or commitments if they feel overwhelming,

(04:14):
don't align with your priorities, or if you're just tired
you need a break. Take that break. You'll last that
much longer. Top Tip number four mindfulness. Cultivate mindfulness. Take
time every day to pause, to breathe and be connect

(04:37):
with yourself. Things like meditation, just few deep breaths in
and out, journaling, even a few notes on your phone
as to how you're feeling, how you can keep that
good feeling or help raise your energy if you're feeling down.

(04:58):
Those journaling can help you manage stress and maintain perspective
during this busy time of year. Top Tip number five
Focus on experiences. Shift your attention from material gifts to

(05:19):
creating memorable experiences. Sometimes we look so hard for the
perfect gift, when all the person really wanted was something intangible,
not something that could be bought at the store. You
will know the person to whom you're giving something, and

(05:40):
think about creating a wonderful experience that they'll always remember.
You can have a movie night, you can make a
special mail. It's up to you, limitless, just using our imagination.
Number six, practice gratitude. Think about the people, the experiences,

(06:07):
the moments that bring you joy. Expressing gratitude can help
us to stay grounded and foster deep connections, deeper connections
with others. If we're in a rush going around the
kitchen like like we're on fire, gratitude. You have a kitchen,

(06:32):
you have food, perhaps you have companionship people coming over,
or you're fixing something for a special person. You know.
Just find that little germ of gratitude in the things
that you are doing during this time. Number seven, Keep moving,

(06:52):
even though we're saying chill, keep moving. For your health,
stay active. Exercise even a little walk can boost those
endorphins and reduce stress. If you're around the house, got
to clean, gotta clean, gotta make it perfect, stop chill,
go outside, get some air and you'll come back. Really,

(07:19):
you'll come back re vitalized just because you're stopped, and
change your scenery before you got too stressed out? Top
tib Number nine. Communication, share your feelings, you needs, any
expectations with loved ones. Open communication can help us prevent

(07:43):
misunderstandings and can strengthen relationships. You're thinking, oh my god,
where am I going to get him? Or what am
I going to get home for Christmas? And just a
little mention you might find out they might say, I
don't really want anything. Why don't we just go on

(08:03):
a trip. Why don't we just pull our money and
do something nice? You know, Communicate, share your feelings. If
you feel like you're overwhelmed, ask your partner, your family
for help. You don't have to carry the whole burden yourself.
It's a time for everyone. And maybe even you don't

(08:25):
even feel like Christmasy, dinner, entertaining, blah blah blah. Maybe
you just want to get away and chill. Communicate that.
You might find out the other person wants that as well.
Or you might just communicate with yourself and find out
that's what you want and off you go. Number ten

(08:48):
the very last top tip for chilling out over the holidays. Support.
Look for support, reach out for their friends, the families, professionals.
If you need help, or someone to listen. Christmas holiday
time isn't a happy time for everyone. Sometimes we can

(09:14):
be buzzing around making preparations, but inside we feel really bad.
We feel sad, we feel lonely, we feel frustrated. To
find somebody that you can reach out and talk about that,
you don't have to suffer in silence. You don't have

(09:39):
to suffer secretly. If you really are feeling bad, reach
out to somebody and maybe someone can give you a
word that will help you, give you a hug or something,
or just listen. Don't be alone if you don't want

(10:02):
to be. It's okay to ask for help. Even if
people think you're the kind of person who has everything
under control and you know in yourself you don't. There
might be that one person that you can speak frankly
to find them. It's okay now. The last thing something

(10:29):
of which I'm very fond. You've probably hurt me banging
on about this in some other episodes. Affirmations. Affirmations can
help us to lift our spirits, to change our minds.
It doesn't make everything perfect, but it can help us
to deal with things, to move on, to move up.

(10:50):
Here are fifteen of them. They can help you to
navigate the holiday season with peace and joy. So I'm
just going to read through them once, but feel free
to play this episode again and write them down. Write
down the ones that resonate with you and use them.

(11:10):
Write them down on a card, Put it in your wallet,
put it in your pocket, put it on your bathroom mirror.
If something resonates with you, if only one, and you
just say that one throughout the whole holiday spirit and
get you through it with joy and peace and lestras,
that's good enough. Here we go fifteen affirmations to help
us navigate this holiday season with peace and joy. I

(11:36):
embrace the spirit of love and connection this holiday season.
I am capable of managing my tasks and responsibilities with
ease and grace. I give myself permission to say no

(12:02):
and set boundaries when needed. I am grateful for the
abundance of love and support in my life. I prioritize
self care and to make time for rest and rejuvenation.

(12:25):
I approach each day with mindfulness and presence. I choose
to focus on experiences and to connection over material possessions.
I am thankful for the blessings of my life, big

(12:46):
and small. I am open to creating new, meaningful traditions
with my loved ones. I am strong, resilient, and capable
of handling any challenges that come my way. I communicate

(13:12):
my needs and feelings with honesty and respect. I am
deserving of love, peace and joy. This holiday season, I
release the need for perfection and embrace the beauty of

(13:36):
imperfect moments. I am grateful for the opportunity to give
and receive love during this special time. I am supported

(13:59):
and guided by the love and wisdom of the universe.
And those are our affirmations to help energize and balance us.

(14:22):
If any of them resonated with you, write them down,
hang on to them, say them when you're feeling stressed.
And if you add this is another bonus tip. If
you add one or two things that you're grateful for

(14:42):
to the top of your to do or your shopping
lifts can help you focus, change your focus, shift your
focus from what you need to do to what you
already have in your life. An easy pasy what is powerful?

(15:03):
An easy peasy, but powerful way to cultivate gratitude, foster positivity,
and approach your tasks during this holiday season with a
sense of appreciation and abundance. You can do it. Be

(15:24):
kind to yourself, don't overload, ask for help because you're
worth it. You're amazing, You're wonderful, really you are. And
that's it for today. Enjoy your holiday time. If you're

(15:48):
not into celebrating holidays in the way that many people are,
that's okay to just enjoy your December and your January
starting that new. We'll be back soon with more advice,

(16:09):
more suggestions, and some more sleep stories to help you
get into a relaxed of mind before you drift off
for the night. And please do if you want to,
feel free to comment on any of the platforms where
you listen to this podcast, or tell your family, tell
your friends, tell everybody about our podcast positive affirmations and

(16:34):
audio stories, and be sure please to visit our coffee page.
You'll find the show the ur l in the show notes,
where you can find more kind of inspirational stuff. If
you need a little lift in between episodes, you'll find
it over there. And that's it for now. Stay well,

(16:55):
enjoy your life. Don't want to get to king about
the