The holidays, especially at the end of the year, can seem like a whirlwind of responsibilities. Between parties, work deadlines, hosting family, and buying gifts, it can feel like you’re being pulled in many directions. 

In December, the air also gets drier and cooler with more wind. It’s also a time where we have less daylight. Seasonally, this type of change can bring up more anxious energy. Instead of doing more– it’s actually a great time to unwind and do less. 

“In the winter, our bodies are meant to rest a little bit and not be pulled in so many directions. Take the time to quiet the mind. Silence technology. Give yourself permission to sleep an extra hour, or simply relax with a cup of hot tea.” 

Setting Technology Boundaries for More Restful Sleep 

It’s no surprise that constantly being “online” can become overwhelming. The first step is to recognize your technology usage and know what you can change. What can you do? Can you turn off your devices?  Can you not have your device by your bedside when you go to sleep?  

One idea to try is to have a hard stop to not look at your phone after 8pm. Try this and see how you feel the next day. 

It’s all about taking baby steps- small changes to be more mindful in your day can go a long way. 

There’s always going to be things we can control and things we can’t control when it comes to work. You can practice setting better boundaries for working hours and interruptions. 

For example, taking the time to eat your meals mindfully away from your phone can help you connect to your body and mind, creating a moment of peace for yourself (instead of using the time to catch up on emails). 

While it’s hard not to think about those things, the first step is to simply recognize it. By just implementing a few mindfulness practices and doing less instead of more, this might just be one of your best holidays yet.