We tend to put all our time and energy into making Christmas perfect and magical for everyone else that we leave ourselves feeling rushed, stressed and so depleted that it’s hard to truly enjoy the season!
Slowing down can truly change how we experience mom life , especially during busy seasons like the holidays. It helps us step back from the constant rush, create intentional moments, and nurture our mental health.
🎄Below I will share 7 ways on how embracing a slower pace can benefit mommas and actionable tips you can do to live out this calmer, slower approach to Christmas.
1. Reduces Overwhelm and Anxiety
Do you ever feel overwhelmed when your baking multiple different Christmas teats at once, the kids are arguing, your phone keeps pinging with notifications and you realize you forgot to set the timer and now the Christmas cookies are burned! We feel this urge to multi- task, to knock out as much of that to do list as we can each day because there’s so much to do and so little time!
Mommas it’s time to change the pace of Christmas to one that is slower. Slowing down allows for better focus thus making tasks feel more manageable.
Let go of the habit to multi- task, when we tackle one thing at a time we can reduce the mental clutter and approach our responsibilities with a calmer mindset.
🎄Actionable Tip: Use a simple “must-do today” list with no more than 3-5 priorities to stay focused without overloading yourself.
2. Promotes Mindfulness and Presence
Rushing through the day often means missing out on meaningful moments, like your child’s laughter or the smell of fresh cookies baking. Slowing down encourages mindfulness, helping us stay present and savor these magical moments. When we are mindful about the tasks we are doing it helps us be in the present moment, bringing a greater sense of peace and joy. Slowing down allows us to notice the small moments of Christmas creating memories we can cherish for years to come.
🎄Actionable tip: Instead of multitasking while decorating cookies, sit with your kids, focus on the activity, and enjoy the moment together. Or, while wrapping gifts focus on the textures, colors, and the joy they’ll bring to your loved ones. On Christmas Day instead of spending the whole time in the kitchen, take some time to stop and chat with your family so you don’t feel like you missed out on that time together.
3. Allows Time for Self-Reflection
Taking a step back from the hustle provides us the opportunity to reflect on our feelings, needs, and priorities. This dedicated time to sit and think can help us make more intentional choices, like deciding what holiday traditions truly matter or when to say no to additional commitments.
🎄Actionable Tip: Dedicate 5-10 minutes daily to journaling or simply sitting quietly to check in with yourself. I personally love doing this first thing in the morning.
4. Improves Relationships
When we slow down, it’s much easier to have more patience and energy for our families. I don’t know about you but I tend to have a less patience with my kids when I’m rushing around trying to do too much, or when I feel under pressure to hurry up and get stuff done before we have to go/ move on to the next thing.
So let’s take a deep breath, ask God for guidance in our days and relax in his presence. When we approach the day with a sene of peace and calmness it strengthens our relationships, reduces tension, and fosters deeper connections with our family. We want to make memories and have close family bonds, let’s not let the holidays disrupt this goal.
🎄Actionable Tip: Set a designated time that’s all all about bonding and having fun together! Foster those relationships and this time with your children if you still have kids home with you. Let them remember the things you did together and not a stressed out cranky mom 😉 If it’s just you and your spouse bonding time with them during this busy season is also just as important, you can set aside time to go on a walk together or sit and talk or play a game of cards.
I encourage you during this designated bonding time to eliminate distractions (aka…turn your phone on silent or leave it in another room so you can be fully present)
5. Enhances Physical and Emotional Resilience
Chronic stress can take a toll on both mental and physical health, leading to burnout. Slowing down helps us recognize when we’re pushing ourselves too hard and gives us a chance to rest and recharge. I know I’ve felt it when I lived in that go,go,go pace then the second I stoped I felt like I hit a wall. As I’ve been approaching my days at a calmer pace I realized I’m not finding myself completely drained by Christmas. I’ve also been able to fight off germs better because my body is not completely depleted!
🎄Actionable tip: Schedule a weekly “do nothing” evening, where you relax without any obligations. I’ll be honest this hard if your a busy body like me! I like to even keep my hands busy if I stop and sit on the couch. But, I’m trying hard to at least one night a week put the phone away, and my craft projects and relax, lately it’s been watching a Christmas movie with my hubby as our “do nothing” time. Just make this time an opportunity for you to rest your mind, body, spirit. I love reading for fun so even grabbing a book to read for fun is a great way to slow down and rest.
6. Encourages Gratitude and Joy
When we slow down our pace, we are able to notice the small, beautiful moments that often go overlooked in the rush. This can cultivate a sense of gratitude, which is proven to boost mental health and happiness. I find that even just setting a designated time to do gratitude journal is helpful. Taking this time to stop and reflect on life and think about the blessings God has done in our life and the things that bring joy lifts my spirits and helps me approach life in more positive mindset. We have a lot to be thankful for but sometimes if we don’t slow down to appreciate it or even notice it, these blessing go unnoticed.
🎄Actionable Tip: Start a family gratitude jar where everyone adds one thing they’re thankful for. We like to do this along with our Friday night family devotional and then look at them all on New Years. You could also start a gratitude journal, or even just stop in your day and observe your surroundings and say a little prayer thanking God.
7. Builds a Stronger Foundation for Self-Care
Slowing down makes it easier to have time for activities that nourish the body, mind,and spirit like exercise, proper sleep, prayer time and hobbies. Without constant busyness, we can create space for self-care practices that we often tend to push aside.
🎄Actionable Tip: Block out time in your calendar for yourself, even if it’s just 15 minutes to read, walk or read your Bible
🍃By slowing down, we can focus on what truly matters, embrace the present moment, and create a calmer, more intentional rhythm for our lives. Instead of wishing for the day when Christmas is over, this approach to Christmas can foster a new outlook on the holiday season.
Christmas can become one your most treasured times of year filled with connection, peace and happiness.