Nurturing Health for the Holidays

Christmas (and other highly social activity driven holidays) takes a lot of emotional and physical energy. Even if we don’t celebrate, we are surrounded by the collective frenzy. The tendency is to neglect our own self-care. We eat in ways we don’t normally eat, skip exercise, forgo meditating and other personal practices, and generally put ourselves further down on the list of things to attend to. Although we may enjoy the festivities while they’re here, many of us are waiting for it to be over to exhale.

The day after is when we can rest and go back to introvert island where we finally give ourselves permission to do what we want – relax in our jammies, go to movies, take a hike, and rest – both physically and energetically.

Culturally, we have the respite of only a few days (if that) of leisure before we’re launched into a new year with all the societal expectations that come with resolutions, things we want to change, and the message: “That’s enough now, time to get back to work.”

In preparing for my new program Women at the Well starting January 2, I was reminded of Angeles Arrien’s Eight Universal Healing Principles to sustain our health and well-being, especially during the holidays.

The Eight Universal Healing Principles

1. Balanced diet
2. Daily and weekly exercise
3. Time for fun, play, and laughter
4. Music, sonics, and chanting
5. Love, touch, and support systems
6. Engaged in interests, hobbies, and creative purpose
7. Nature, beauty, and healing environments
8. The presence of faith and belief in the supernatural

As I reflect on these principles again, I find they are particularly relevant now as a timely reminder for how to approach the holidays in a way that keeps us sane, centered, and able to enjoy the blessings that we have.

My gratitude to each of you who continue to read and share my blog. All wishes to you for a holiday and New Year filled with light, love, and manifesting all that you imagine in your life.