Three simple steps to find peace of mind this Christmas

Well…we all know what a “wonderful” year we’ve had. Full of fears, stress, fear of illness, loss of all kinds, isolation and loved ones stuck in other countries and cities. 2020 has not been an easy year for anyone in this world, but it is coming to an end.

We know too well. It’s not easy to stay calm and prepare for Christmas in times of pandemonium, but a few small habits, condensed into three simple steps, will help you find at least a little peace and enjoy the holidays the way you deserve.

Step 1: Limit exposure to the news

As a former journalist I know all too well where overexposure to news leads, especially since, according to the principle “Bad news travels faster and interests (because it scares) more people, so audiences increase”, at least 80% of press material tends to be negative. And, as if the negativity and evil presented in the news were not enough, they are also greatly exaggerated. In a bad way, of course. Thus, an absolutely normal snowfall in December is transformed in the news into a “whiteout”, “apocalypse”, taking on catastrophic dimensions.

All that negativity, catastrophe after catastrophe presented in the news, cannot fail to take its toll on a man already in a state of anxiety.

We can’t control what the media gives us, but we do have control over the time we spend consuming negative information and our devices. So, to be more relaxed at Christmas, New Year’s Eve, the holidays and any other time, limit your exposure to the news and social media as much as you can. Because we all know how much bad information from unverified sources is circulating on Facebook.

How to do? Very simple: don’t stay glued to your phone reading the news non-stop. Better yet, give yourself two moments a day, in the morning and in the evening, an hour to find out what’s going on and to worry, then mind your own business, ignoring that voice telling you to pick up the phone, check “what’s going on” or what your friends have shared on Facebook.

Step Two: Be kind to yourself and others and accept what you cannot control

No, this year, now, during this period and while the pandemic lasts, no human is behaving normally. Not even you. And perhaps, while some of your reactions seem perfectly reasonable to you, others are dumbfounded.

In 2020, stress and anxiety levels have risen to infinity, so now is the best time to be kind to yourself, be less critical of yourself and understand that it’s perfectly normal to be out of sorts, to feel on edge, to be agitated, desperate, depressed. Once you accept that it’s no wonder you’re like this and understand that this situation won’t last forever, although it seems like it, and that everyone reacts to stress and despair in their own way, you’ll find more peace.

We can’t control what happens around us, but we have absolute control over our reactions to the world. So, relax, enjoy every good moment of your day, stop getting upset about what others are doing, and you’ll be fine.

Step three: Create moments of respite and pause

Somehow related to the two steps above is the third step and it refers to your power to say STOP. Say stop to the world spinning madly around you, to the fear and panic inside you, stop for a few minutes from everything you do and enjoy it. A warm tea that soothes you, a hot chocolate, a glass of wine and all the little things that bring you a little joy.

Buy yourself something beautiful, create with your heart, help a local business, restore hope, with a kind word to the heart of someone desperate, help someone in dire need, reach out a hand, be kind, be still and smile.

Hard times forge character. Stop when you can’t, take a break, then keep going. You will find, as you move forward, all the strength and inspiration you need. I promise 🙂