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Ah, December. It can be a whirlwind of activity filled with friends and family, and it seems the whole month is fueled by the motto of “Eat, drink, and be merry!” Even as I write, the flood of wonderful food and delicious drink is flying at me fast and furious. Last week alone I had a holiday party on Saturday, my daughter Jamie’s birthday celebration on Sunday, Hanukkah with the kids on Monday, dinner with a friend Tuesday, my bridge group on Wednesday—and the indulgence didn’t stop there. At home and at work, I’ve been giving and receiving food gifts galore. Latkes. Cookies. Candies. That Harry & David popcorn! And bottles (and bottles) of wine. It seems our culinary generosity goes hand in hand with our generosity of spirit this time of year, and I wouldn’t trade either for the world.
Of course, we all know the party can’t go on forever. Here are four simple steps—starting today—that can help you make the merriness of the holidays last all year round:
1. Give experiences to make your holidays merry.
Instead of buying costly gifts for his children this year, my friend Mark opted to take his family to Escape the Place , an “escape room” in Lake Forest for a special holiday adventure. CaroleAnne (our favorite marketing consultant!) gave her mom a day of singing together at the Holiday Sing-Along at Disney Hall. Jamie and I celebrated her birthday with an evening at a special restaurant. Celebrate with experiences that are meaningful to you, and the memories of your time together will last much longer than even the “hottest gift of 2017.”
2. Take actions that deliver generosity —without breaking the bank.
It’s easy to think that generosity requires spending (and often over- spending ) money. But there are many other ways to be kind and giving. On Christmas Day this year, I volunteered to serve meals to the residents at Heritage Pointe while the staff enjoyed a day off. Rather than buying expensive hostess gifts for every party, my friend Laura bakes her “family secret” biscotti, seals a few in a mason jar, and includes a note: “Do not open until January 2!” What a great way to stretch her budget and extend the holiday joy into the New Year!
3. Get moving—and get still.
The mind/body connection is powerful, and even if you managed to fend off those extra pounds during the holidays , a routine of something—anything!—physical could keep the blues away as well. Walk. Swim. Hike in nature. Head to a yoga class. And if you aren’t already a fan, try meditating. My Sangha meditation group has helped me learn how to reap the benefits of stillness and mindfulness, and there are even mediation apps for your phone (check out Buddhify or Headspace ). Whatever change you choose, try to make it your favorite new habit in 2018.
Related: How to Drive Positive Change in Our Own Lives and in the World Around Us
4. Be intentional about changing your state of mind—especially after the holiday excesses.
Rather than merely accepting the holiday blues, take steps to change your state of mind. I’m a lifelong journaler, and I plan to include gratitudes in my morning pages. Have a date with yourself for a drive up the coast. Visit a museum. Or just relax with a great cup of coffee at a new bistro. Even the simplest things can change your state in a heartbeat: read, move, meditate, laugh, or hang out in nature. With a little intention, you can cultivate a state of mind that exudes positivity.
We celebrate in ways that make the post-holiday holiday blues seem inevitable. It doesn’t have to be that way. Like any habit, creating a joyful state of mind takes planning and practice. With these simple steps and a good dose of clear intention, you really can get there! And if post-holiday finances are creating a bit of less-than-joyful stress, let’s talk. After you finish off that last glass of New Year’s Eve bubbly, remember, as always, I’m here to help!