3 things you can do to make your holiday a little easier
3 things you can do to make your holiday a little easier
3 things you can do to make your holiday a little easier
If you follow me on social media, you’ve joined me for the 31 Days of Letting Go Challenge. We’ve been talking a lot about how important it is to let go of habits that may no longer serve you. The habits you adopt can be just as important.
We are entering the holiday season, and as magical as it can be, the holidays can also be a source of stress.
Remember to give yourself and others grace, practice self-compassion and kindness, and try these three habits to make your life just a little bit easier:
1. Ask yourself why
If you celebrate Thanksgiving, it is a great opportunity to share gratitude with the people in your life. It gives both you and the person on the receiving end a boost of happy hormones. When you think of something that brings you joy and gratitude, ask yourself, “Why am I grateful?” This helps you internalize it, which embeds the habit into your brain. This trains you to look for what’s right and offsets your brain’s negativity bias. Make a conscious effort to communicate gratitude to others.
2. Make today easier
Want to make your life easier? Ask yourself this question: What can I do to make today a little easier?
Take something off your to-do list or add something that brings you joy, watch a funny video, call a friend, or take a short nap. There are a million things you can do to make your day and life better. This is one of my favorite ways to bring more joy into my life.
3. Listen to your body
Tap into the power of your nervous system and recognize how you’re feeling. Your body will tell you what to do. Recognize and name your emotions and pay attention to sensations, thoughts, and tension in your body. This brings you back to the present moment and is the basis for mindfulness. Any time you feel yourself getting stressed or overwhelmed, breathe deeply. Remember, your feelings and thoughts are not facts. They are just information for your nervous system.
When we are stressed or overwhelmed, we take shallow breaths, and this deprives your brain of the oxygen it needs to think clearly. Reset your nervous system by taking three deep belly breaths, making the exhale longer than the inhale. This stimulates the calming response.
Remember to focus on the delicious moments, celebrate what’s most important, and be kind to yourself. I hope you have a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving!
Stay brave and resilient,
Anne
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Read that again. 🙌
Success doesn`t happen overnight nor is it a straight path. I am beyond grateful to live my passion and share it with the world. #throwbackthursday
I played piano from the time I was four years old until the age of 15 and during that time, I had a lot of recitals. I remember being so nervous before each recital. What if I played the wrong note? What if I forgot the music? My dad would look at me, hold my hands, and say:
Whatever you do, DO NOT think of pink elephants!!
At the time, I had no idea why in the world he would say this. All I do know is that when I sat down to play, all I saw were pink elephants, and I was able to tackle my nerves.
Turns out my dad was helping me to practice the ironic process theory which explains that when we try to suppress our thoughts, we focus on them even more. Seventy to 80% of our thoughts are negative and repetitive. If not managed, intrusive thoughts can lead to anxiety, depression, and a whole host of mental health challenges.
If you tend to get stuck in rumination, or if your thoughts sometimes get the best of you, here are a few ways to take back control:
1️⃣ Recognize that your thoughts are not facts.
2️⃣ Use your brain. Do a math problem, practice a different language, or play a puzzle game. When you access the prefrontal cortex, the higher level thinking part of your brain, you get out of the emotional limbic system.
3️⃣ Distract yourself. Sometimes a simple distraction gives you enough distance to quiet your intrusive thoughts.
4️⃣ Practice mindfulness.
5️⃣ See a therapist. When negative, intrusive thoughts impact your ability to do your job, maintain relationships, or start clouding your judgment, it may be time to get help. As someone with plenty of intrusive thoughts, therapy has helped me tremendously.
Don’t forget, your thoughts and feelings are not facts. They are simply habits that need to be shifted. Be patient with yourself, and if all else fails, whatever you do, DO NOT THINK OF PINK ELEPHANTS!
Pets provide a deep sense connection and unconditional love. I don’t know what I’d do without without these two nut jobs! Happy National Love Your Pet Day! ❤️🐶 #mindfulmonday #mindfulness #petsnuggles #ilovemydogs #petsofinstagram #nationalloveyourpetday
I hope your Friday includes donuts. 🍩
Midweek reminder: Reset your mindset. 🧠
Anne Grady is a Speaker, Author, and #TruthBomb Dropper.
Anne shares practical strategies that can be applied both personally and professionally to improve relationships, navigate change, and triumph over adversity. And she’ll make you laugh while she does it. Anne is a two time TEDx speaker, and her work has been featured in numerous media outlets, including Harvard Business Review, Entrepreneur, Forbes, Fast Company and Inc. magazines, CNN, ESPN, and FOX Business. She is the best selling author of 52 Strategies for Life, Love & Work and Strong Enough: Choosing Courage, Resilience and Triumph.