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Prepare Instead
Guest Blogger: Gwen Lawrence BS LMT Eryt-500
I love the holidays; however, I get sad when people see them as a burden and stressful. The American Psychological Association says, "While nearly half of U.S. adults (49%) would describe their stress levels during the traditional U.S. holiday season between November and January as "moderate," around two in five (41%) said their stress increases during this time compared with other points in the year." So, if this is you, you are clearly not alone.
This holiday season, I want you to set your mind on enjoying the time and staying present in the moment. In my recent book, Self-Care is Essential, Chapter 1, Self-Care: The How's and Why's, I offer an approach I have used for years to stay present and to be comfortable and stress-free in your own home. Becoming comfortable in your own home may seem like a silly concept; you may think, "Of course, I am comfortable in my own home!"
But are you really?
Have you walked through your home and smelled a stale basement?
Have you seen an item daily that was gifted to you by a relative you are not too fond of, and it makes you cringe?
Are your curtains old or drab?
How are your linens?
Are you so excited to go to bed and slide into a comfy nest?
The list goes on and on. In my book I offer a five-senses approach to make your home a haven, created by you! I lead you through each sense. Today, let's address sight and the importance of making everything you see spark inner gratitude and joy and ensure your home's lighting is adequate.
Research shows that adequate light improves mood and energy levels, while poor lighting contributes to depression and other deficiencies in the body. We have all heard about the detrimental effects of blue light on our sleep quality. You can also help alleviate eye strain and headaches with green light. Of course, getting adequate natural light will boost your mood!
So, start here. Go room by room and replace bulbs, test the light brightness, and add some candles, too. While you are at it, get rid of things that do not make you happy or do not use. If you are ambitious, you can read my book about how touch, taste, smell, and hearing adjustments in your home will ensure a mood boost and lower stress.
When you are happy, the people around you are happy, and your holidays can go back to the way they felt through the eyes of your younger self!
For over 30 years Gwen Lawrence has been a facilitator, author, speaker, contributor, trainer, and TV and Radio personality. Gwen has been named “Best Innovation in Sports Medicine” by ESPN Magazine and is a pioneer in the genre of Yoga and Sports with her trainings of students in 18 countries, training over 3,000 professional athletes with her Power Yoga for Sports programs. Gwen has changed the view of how athletes of all ages can utilize her philosophy to stay healthy and prolific longer. "I transform lives from good to great, helping my clients reach their highest potential, using my 6-power yoga for sports philosophies to Attain fitness, find Balance, Create goals, and Define personal happiness in work, school, family and life the way only an intuitive Yogi and seasoned MOM can"
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