This is content that I wrote for the Buena Onda Yoga Newsletter earlier this week.
Is there a practice or healthy lifestyle choice that you have been working on, which you would like to keep up during the holiday season? Are you worried that it will be difficult to maintain momentum through all the excitement and holiday traditions?
You are not alone. Changes in routine and the expectations of family and friends can be some of the biggest obstacles to sustaining a self-practice or lifestyle habits.
I, personally, find that when I go on vacation or on a trip, that I get into a mindset of “leaving it all behind.” I like to chill-out and escape my normal routine. I also find that there can be pressure from friends or family members that downplays the importance of my lifestyle choices. But when I give in to these distractions, I always find that I don’t feel myself; I begin to feel unhealthy, lethargic and even frustrated for not having the willpower to keep up with my personal practices. But the truth is that it is hard!
So, this year I am planning ahead and making a point to experiment with this tendency. I want to see if I can keep up with at least some, if not all, of my personal practices over the holidays.
Here are some tactics that I am experimenting with to stay dedicated and patient with myself. If you feel at all compelled to try to maintain momentum around healthy lifestyle practices over the holidays, try them out!
- Acknowledge the challenge. The first step is always to be aware of the challenge or tendency. Acknowledging what might be hard for us will help diffuse the frustration in the moment. What is going to pose the biggest challenge for you in maintaining your practice?
- Plan ahead. Think through some ideas or strategies to keep you moving forward with your self-practice. If we have a plan as we head into sticky situations, we will have a greater possibility of success. What are some small things that you can do to prepare? What are some ideas of how to fit in your practice amidst the hustle and bustle of the holidays?
- Ask for support. Talk with your friends, family, and/or partner to help back you up. Make sure to explain why it is important for you to stay on track. Having support and collective understanding among those people closest to you will help you stay motivated to keep it up.
- Be patient and don’t beat yourself up. Negativity is one sure way to send your good intentions out the window and unravel healthy practices. So, if you miss a day or have a moment when you let go of your practice, don’t beat yourself up. Just acknowledge it, lovingly redirect yourself back to your practice, and remind yourself why it is important to stick with it.
- Learn for next time. Look at it as an experiment – what threw you off track the most? What can you do to set yourself up for success when you meet the next obstacle?
My hope is that overtime we can learn to grow stronger in our self-practices and engrain the importance of them into our minds, hearts, and actions. When we are faced with a challenge we can use it as an opportunity to grow stronger and learn more about our tendencies and ourselves. We can look at it as a way to commit to ourselves and stay connected to that deep inner wisdom that keeps us healthily and happy.
What personal practice or healthy lifestyle choices do you want to continue during the holidays? Why is it important and how can you plan ahead to stay on track? Share your thoughts below to help build momentum for yourself and others!
Happy holidays. May you continue on your path of health and happiness, now and always.