Give the Gift of Your Presence: Stress Less Over the Holidays!

  • 3 mins read

Give the Gift of Your Presence: Stress Less over The Holidays! 

I hope you have a good holiday season and overall holiday experience!  Below you can see 2 lists that I have created to help you achieve just that! The first list defines what it means to be present, while the second list gives you supportive ideas to help you de-stress, so that you can become more relaxed, centered and  fully present. When you are more  present within yourself, you can be more present with the ones you love and who need you.

Let’s define what it means to be present, have a presence for someone you love, interact with, teach or lead:

  1. Be willing to stop or negotiate a time to stop what you are doing for another. Pay attention to words, feelings, cues of the other when you set the time to be present for them.
  2. Use Active Listening- so that you convey your full attention to the other person. Be sure to feed back what you heard them say and ask appropriate questions, if necessary.
  3. Observe without pre-conceived notions or judgments. See what you can learn.
  4. Place your triggers aside so that you respond vs. react in the moment.
  5. Make eye contact.
  6. Be aware of your facial expression and body language and what you are conveying. Be authentic, yet open and inviting with a smile, open body language and overall tone.
  7. Take long, slow deep breaths to manage stress- so that you can become calm and centered in the now.
  8. Empathize. Different from sympathize; imagine walking in the other’s shoes.
  9. Be willing to accept feedback from others. Gauge the accuracy of the feedback from who it is coming from and if it is consistent with more than a couple or a few people.
  10.  Pay attention- if you are needed immediately, be there. That is more important than the momentary convenience to you. Pay attention: you might learn something!

In order for you to be most present within yourself and then present for another you must:

  1. Take time for yourself using self-care practices that nurture and restore you.
  2. Make time to calm down and relax yourself, especially when stress levels are high.
  3. Know your stressors and personally emotional negative triggers.
  4. Get plenty of sleep and eat healthy foods to keep your body energized and mood balanced. Moderate excesses such as sugar, salt, caffeine and alcohol.
  5. Try new activities, such as meditation, exercise, art, music, group support, therapy or life coaching. Find outlets and supportive environments that work for you.
  6. Have regular family time, family meetings and open discussions.
  7. Get enough physical affection; ask for hugs from appropriate people.
  8. Laugh and see the bigger picture whenever possible.
  9. Schedule time for fun and relaxation.
  10.  Listen more than you talk.

Live Inspired!® Nina~

Nina Sidell Inspiring Lives, LLC.  www.LiveInspiredwithNina.com