Mindfulness Through the Holidays
Children and adults thrive with routine, but trying to maintain it through the holidays might be hard. Family members have taken over the children’s bedrooms and the couch, and you can’t find the creamer for your morning coffee because it’s hiding behind all the food that you will be happily cooking for your family in a day or two (yes, I said in a day or two…). You want to spend as much time as you can with your family, so, of course, they arrived a few days before the big family holiday feast! You may ask, “How can we keep a mindfulness practice when our routine is out of whack?” My question is, “How can you afford NOT to keep a mindfulness practice during this time of year?”
Here are some ideas that will help you keep your sanity during the crazy holiday season!
Setting the tone for the day
If running is your thing, make sure you get out the door before everyone else gets up. If you are like me, coffee is what keeps you going – wake up extra early to make sure you have it! Inform visitors that the first 15 minutes of your day are sacred so that they know that you need your space and time. Trust me, it will be worth it!
Routines in the classroom
Plan your day in a way that you will start and end the way you usually do. Share any changes to the schedule with the children - it is important that they know what is coming and when it will happen.
Connect and empathize
Ask your students about changes in routine at home - discuss their family plans are and how they feel about them.
Move and Breathe
Make time for mindful movement, breathing breaks or short meditation throughout the day. This will help the children (and you) reset and move on to the next activity. I especially like to do these before big events, like holiday parties, even if this means we will be 3 minutes late. Trust me, it helps so much!
Communicate
I believe the secret for a successful holiday season is communication between you and your family or you and your students and their families, so there are no surprises. Recently, before my family arrived for a 28-day visit, I informed them that the first 15 minutes of my day are sacred to me; they knew not to get up before I had my cup of coffee!
Consider everyone’s needs
Be mindful of everyone’s needs, especially your own! Take breaks and breathe! Hide for a few minutes if you must. Take the long way home.
Do whatever it takes and remember, we are all experiencing similar stressors so be kind to everyone you encounter and to the person you see in the mirror!
Bela Barbosa
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) consultant
Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel's Iris Family Center for ECE
South Orange, NJ
