Hi, I’m Joanne and I’m the new Tuesday blogger. Since we’re just getting acquainted, you should know that everyone thinks that I’m calm, cool and collected at all times, but the truth is that I’m not always feeling that way on the inside.
The 16 ton weight of holiday anxiety fell on me yesterday. December comes and suddenly I realize that the dates on the calendar are closer than they appear! My mind becomes unfocused and races between thoughts of the gifts, the decorations, the cleaning, the tree, the cookies and preparing Christmas dinner for 14 people! My muscles tighten, my breathing becomes shallow and suddenly I’m frozen like a deer in headlights. Serenity now!
Every year I swear I’m going to have everything done way in advance next year. Of course I never do.
This year I’ve got a new strategy. I will accept and embrace that Christmas is rolling down the track like a freight train, bringing with it a “to do” list that’s longer than 12 elves laid end to end. I won’t try to control the external factors, but I will work on how I react to them. I’m no stranger to anxiety – we go way back. Anxiety has made me sick a number of times in my past, and so I’m pretty aware when I’m starting to have a problem and I’ve had a lot of experience in managing anxiety. There’s a lot you can do to help yourself when you’re having an anxiety problem. I’ve tried medication, biofeedback, yoga, conscious relaxation, meditation, and exercise. I prefer to avoid the medications if I can, and I’ve found that if I give it a little effort I don’t need them.
Managing my anxiety is my old year’s resolution and it starts now. My strategy is threefold. Every day I try to get enough rest, practice morning yoga and relaxation, and ride my bike for at least a half hour. To be truthful, I think the biking does me the most good, but I crave the am yoga and relaxation like chocolate. How could it be bad when it feels so good?
So far the plan is working and as Christmas approaches I feel like I’m rolling smoothly through the month. As a working mother of 2 small girls, I’m always looking for other ideas to relieve anxiety. What works for you? I just might want to try it some day soon. I wish us all calm and peace this holiday season.