Article By EEW Magazine Online // Christmas // Advice

Joy to the world, the Lord has come! We sing Christmas carols and celebrate the season, but we also stress during a time of year meant for joy and celebration.

When visiting family, frantically shopping, worrying about financial pressures, and extending our to-do lists, it seems that more people spend time bracing for impact, rather than kicking back and enjoying the moment, says J. Gerald Suarez, a professor at the University of Maryland.

Too much of our focus and attention during the holiday season is consumed by clutter, busyness and the next task on our to-do list. Constantly worrying about what's next comes at the expense of enjoying the present.

"The issue with busyness and things to do is that we forget life ought to be around 'how to be,'" Suarez says. "With every little task we accomplish without mindfulness, we forfeit our joy."

Sure, the holidays can be burdensome because of numerous obligations and demands on our time. However, those who are able to do so must take some time off, leverage that period and slow down. "We need to take advantage of the chance to decompress, reflect and recharge," Suarez says. "This is an opportunity to step back from the daily rigor and make an effort to adjust the pace of a hectic routine."

To help EEW Magazine Online readers get the most out of the holiday season, Suarez, an educator and speaker, offers the following tips:

Imperfect is Perfect. We need to let go of the self-imposed burden of perfection: the perfect house, decorations, dinner and gifts. Rigidly adhering to these high standards is a recipe for stress, because there is always more to be accomplished if we are aiming at perfection.

Recalibrate. Recalibrate expectations and redefine what makes a great holiday season. Maybe it's disconnecting from technology, exercising more or relaxing and reconnecting with friends and family.

Less is enough. We have to indulge in simplicity, and declutter our brains from our things-to-do list. Also, appreciate with mindfulness every moment and interaction. Find meaning in what is happening around you, and embrace the spirit of the season.

Zoom out. Look at the calendar and not at the clock. Look at the big picture of your day, not at the nitty-gritty of activities and the fragmentation of your day. Appreciate the big picture and approach it for what it is: a season. It's not a short-term event; it's a joyful time if we make it so.