As I write this piece, it is the week before Halloween and I’m reviewing in my mind whether we have a complete costume for all of my children. By the time you read it, it will be the first week of December and we will be wondering how to squeeze in shopping and wrapping as our schedules become jam-packed with holiday activities. While this kicks off my favorite time of year, I do feel as though I am currently on the first part of a rollercoaster, slowly clicking up a steep hill, knowing what is coming and suspecting that no amount of preparation can help prevent a crazy rush in the end. You December readers are just about at the peak of that hill and in a few more days, you will be cruising downward on that wild ride that is the modern holiday season.
It is during these busy times that I often prioritize my mile long “to do” list over my mental health and wellbeing. I find myself saying that I will focus on mindfulness or serenity once things slow down again. Yet this strategy is fraught with error. If we postpone our practice of being in the present moment, then we risk missing the very moments that we cherish so much. We are constantly focused on our next chore or event until we pop our heads up in January and realize we missed the whole thing. And what’s even worse - we sometimes feel relieved because our incessant thinking of the future was so very exhausting.
The good news is that it doesn’t have to be that way. I’m here to tell you that allotting ten, five, or even two minutes a day to a mindfulness practice is enough to transform your December and your life. It doesn’t have to be perfect. You can download any of the popular apps (e.g; Headspace, Calm) and follow the prompts. If your mind cooperates for only a fraction of the session, that’s okay! The very seeking to be present is enough. Medical research shows us that this effort at meditation can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and makes us more resilient during the rest of the day when adversity strikes. It also makes us more efficient with our time so busyness is a poor excuse!