Reclaiming the FUN this Holiday Season
It’s the beginning of the holiday season and with the holidays comes to stress. Each year we feel a mix of joy and anxiety when we approach the days before holidays. We experience a combination of stressors related to financial costs of the holidays, family coming to stay and the conflicts it may bring, and the stress of trying to have the perfect meal and holiday all together. Combined with gift selections to ponder, shopping to do, greeting cards to write and respond to, phone calls to return, parties to attend and host, menus to plan and of course bills to pay, it can feel completely overwhelming and not much fun at times.
Since all these important things need to be done, as they are the substance of your life (this is not a dress rehearsal), doesn’t it make sense to find ways to have more fun while doing each functional task? Good planning can be a lot of fun to plan but remember … Worrying is not planning! Worrying about the outcome of our plans takes us away from enjoying activities in the present. A good plan is like an anchor in the storm of worry. If you get caught in worry, come back to your plans and take action Now.
We are more likely to experience fun when we are fully present to the smells, tastes, sounds, sights, and feelings of the holiday season. It’s a matter of focus and to experience more joy in the moment, simply shift your focus and pay attention to all these pleasant experiences. Take this a step further and begin to expect, seek, and create more pleasant moments looking for opportunities to have fun along the way.
How do we put the fun back in your Holiday Season?
When is the last time you really had fun—the last time you just let yourself go and had a good time? When did you last forget about all your daily responsibilities and live in the moment? If it’s been too long, one of these assumptions about fun may be holding you back.
Stop worrying what other people will think. You are not a mind reader and other people don’t think about you nearly as much as you think they do. Be your authentic self because those who matter appreciate you.
It’s true: Some of the best things in life are free…. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to buy a lot of stuff, nor do you need to go on a pricey vacation to have fun. It’s more about just being in the moment with the people you care about.
There is always time to have fun. There is always time to have fun no matter how little time you think you have—you can make the time. Fun is found in the little moments; you don’t need to carve out your whole day, simply do something you enjoy, just for the fun of it.
Do you really need to plan everything? Perhaps the most fun can be found in spontaneous unplanned moments by simply allowing things to happen naturally. Let yourself experience spur-of-the-moment trips and last-minute get-together. Be in the present moment.
Conditions do not have to be perfect and they seldom are! .Many fun moments occur when things go unexpectedly awry. Allow yourself to be imperfect and enjoy the imperfections of life. Humans are imperfect creatures, after all, and you’re one of them. Telling yourself, “I’ll have fun when…” is counterproductive; have fun now: There’s no time like the present.
If you think it has to be big and spectacular, here’s a News flash: Every day is not a holiday or parades, and parties. If you think real fun only happens at big events, you’re depriving yourself of some good times. Fun is what you make it. It doesn’t need to be spectacular, by any means and more often it is found in smaller five or ten-minute increments that create wonderful lasting memories. Holidays are Great Opportunities for FUN.
Benefits of Being Creative and Playful
It’s never too late to develop your playful, humorous side. If you find yourself limiting your playfulness, it’s possible that you’re self-conscious and concerned about how you’ll look and sound to others when attempting to be lighthearted. Play helps:
Relieve stress. Play is fun and can trigger the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
Improve brain function. Playing chess, completing puzzles, or pursuing other fun activities that challenge the brain can help prevent memory problems and improve brain function. The social interaction of playing with family and friends can also help ward off stress and depression.
Stimulate the mind and boost creativity. Young children often learn best when they are playing—a principle that applies to adults, as well. You’ll learn a new task better when it’s fun and you’re in a relaxed and playful mood. Play can also stimulate your imagination, helping you adapt and solve problems.
Improve relationships and your connection to others. Sharing laughter and fun can foster empathy, compassion, trust, and intimacy with others. Play doesn’t have to include a specific activity; it can also be a state of mind. Developing a playful nature can help you loosen up in stressful situations, break the ice with strangers, make new friends, and form new business relationships.
Keep you feeling young and energetic. In the words of George Bernard Shaw, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” Play can boost your energy and vitality and even improve your resistance to disease, helping you function at your best.
Remember what the holidays are really about
It’s about – spending quality time with family, friends and loved ones. It’s about giving love and joy to others. Watch your expectation; make sure they are realistic. We try for perfection during the holidays and we tend to forget what the holidays are really about. Remind yourself that the holidays are about being close to your loved ones while everything else comes second.
This Holiday give yourself permission to be creative and spontaneous. Set aside your inhibitions and try something fun, something you haven’t done since you were a kid, perhaps. This holiday Season as you are gathered with family and friends and in the spirit of Holiday Fun, go once round the table asking others if they have a fun story feel free to share it!
… Love and blessings, Christina
