Best Ways to Reduce Stress at Christmas

My best way to reduce stress and relax is to do Pilates or Yoga -- which I intend to be doing in 15 minutes! But exercise isn't everyone's best way to reduce stress. Here are a few ideas to help you relax...

Best Ways to Reduce Stress at Christmas

Enjoy a blast from the past. Humor and stress management expert Leigh Anne Jasheway-Bryant has a ton of unique stress busters up her sleeve! She recommends “blowing bubbles, hula-hooping (which also burns off calories and tones the core at the same time), bouncing on a mini-trampoline while working through problems (it reminds your body and mind that resiliency, the ability to bounce back, is important and often easy), and using a funny handshake when arguments are getting nowhere.

Practice acceptance. Here's a great way to have a positive attitude at Christmas, from my "Quips and Tips for Spiritual Seekers" blog partner, Gini Grey: "Instead of balking at holiday rituals or grimacing in the presence of your least favorite relative, try accepting the situation or person as they are and notice how your mood improves," she says. "Acceptance is simply acknowledging what is instead of resisting reality. It moves you out of judgment and into a place of peace and calm." 

Get enough sunlight – even in winter. If you struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or the winter blues, make sure you’re getting enough light, even if it’s indoor. Consider buying a light box, or research natural ways to lighten the winter blues. Vitamin D and melatonin are both stimulated by sunlight, and they both play roles in improving mood and facilitating sleep. Sunlight can reduce the effects of holiday stress and improve your mood.

Let go of your expectations. Don’t tie yourself down to a particular outcome: giving the best Christmas gifts, having the most beautiful holiday decorations, or cooking the best ham and turkey dinner. The best way to reduce stress at Christmas is to be open to all possible outcomes. Remember that sometimes even the worst possible results or situations can turn out to be better than the ones you originally wanted!

Take time to reconnect with who you are, or your source of strength. If you’re spiritual, make time to connect with God or the source of your spirituality. Stop to say a quick prayer or meditation during your crazy Christmas shopping or decorating rush! Make it a priority to connect to the source of your power – don’t lose yourself in the Christmas craze. Even if you don’t believe in religion or spirituality, take time to ground yourself by spending time alone. This will help make Christmas meaningful.

If you find yourself depressed at Christmastime, read Christmas Depression? 5 Tips for Overcoming the Holiday Blues.

Best Ways to Pray to God

There's not one best way to pray to God that works for everyone; it's not that easy! You need to find the best way for you to pray, depending on your personality, spirituality, lifestyle, and reason for praying.

And, you need to try different ways to pray until you find what works for you. Here are a few prayer tips to try...

Best Ways to Pray to God

Learn about Biblical prayer. To be God-centered and and Biblical, prayer must include God! Listening for God’s voice can be challenging, especially if you feel distant from God or if you’re easily distracted. If you’re trying to reconnect with God, you might find How to Renew Your Spirituality helpful. Learning to listen for God’s voice takes practice and patience – and it can be one of the most relaxing, peaceful parts of your day.

Try Centering Prayer. Centering prayer is about silencing your heart and mind for peace, for increased spirituality, and for the emotional and spiritual strength to cope with whatever happens in your life. This type of prayer is about communing with God. It’s not about getting what you want; it’s about finding the strength to cope with what you get. To learn more, read Centering Prayer - How to Pray With Your Whole Heart.

Pray in a way that works for you. I created Quips and Tips for Spiritual Seekers with Gini Grey, who often writes about meditation. Much of what she says works for prayer, too! Here's one of her best ways to pray to God, in her article about praying for others: "When I was in my late teens and early 20s I prayed while taking my dog for a walk late at night. Staring up at the expansive, sparkling sky helped me to feel a deep connection to the Creator. Now, I often pray with my eyes closed while meditating. Meditation merges me with my spiritual self and the source of all life. Whether you pray at your bedside before going to sleep, or while walking in nature, it doesn’t matter. Opening the line of communication to the God of your heart is what counts." 

Accept that you get distracted while praying. If you fight or try to move away from your distraction, then you’ll just become more distracted! Resisting your distraction only magnifies it, prolongs it, makes it worse. So, instead of working feverishly to overcome your distraction, try accepting that you are distracted. Accept your lack of focus. Tell yourself, “Feelings of distraction while praying are normal. It’s okay for me to feel this way.” To learn how to stay focused, read How to Pray When You're Distracted - Mindful Prayer Tips.

“Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays.” ~ Søren Kierkegaard.

What do you think -- what's the best way to pray to God? I welcome your comments below!

Articles on Spiritual Growth

Reading articles on spiritual growth is one way to increase your spirituality -- but eventually, you have to stop reading and start practicing! These articles on spiritual growth offer practical ways to be more spiritual at work, home, and even at church...

Christian Courses for Spiritual Growth – The Alpha Course - my husband Bruce and I are taking this course, which is a practical foundation for Christianity. I love it. Last night, Nicky Gumbel (the creator of the Alpha Course) spoke on how evil appears in our lives and what to do about it -- and it changed how I view God, spirituality, and my life.

5 Spiritual Health Benefits of Meditation is an article on spiritual growth from my Quips & Tips for Spiritual Seekers partner, Gini Grey. Note that the health benefits she describes aren't just for meditation -- they're for prayer, too!

5 Ways to Be More Spiritually Healthy- describes tips ranging from "set healthy boundaries" to "pretend your mistakes are only a five second blip" (my favourite thing to do!). These are practical effective, ways to increase your spiritual growth...or at least enjoy more peace and joy in your life.

Centering Prayer - How to Pray With Your Whole Heart - is my most popular article on spiritual growth. I love this type of prayer; it really helps you relax and focus on what you're doing....praying to the Creator of the Universe. And what could be more spiritually healthy than that?

These are only a few articles I've written -- if you're looking for a different type of article on spiritual growth, let me know! I'd be happy to dig it up or write it for you...