Less Stress For The Holidays; Seeking Spirituality

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. That’s what commercials and Christmas songs portray. For many, however, the holiday season starts off as stressful, and as the days shorten, the air grows colder, and expectations soar this stress can lead to sadness and depression, the holiday blues.

Many people suffer from some form of depression during the holidays. The commercialism of the season leaves many feeling empty and lonely. The constant barrage of  “Buy this for the perfect holiday… Make that for the perfect meal… give this for the perfect gift…” becomes an incessant droning in the backdrop of conscious thought.  Where does one turn to replace stress and depression with peace. 

According to one recent study, it is possible to overcome depression with spirituality.  A report by the You Family Clinic suggests that the body and mind can heal faster when one is peaceful, relaxed, and connected to a higher power than the body and mind alone. So what does spirituality mean? Spirituality does is not necessarily synonymous with religion. It is the basic idea that all living things have a spirit, unique and separate from the physical body.

One way to develop spirituality is through service to others. During the holiday season, it is important to turn the focus outward. Looking at the needs of others and serving them in some capacity gives renewed meaning to giving. Serving can mean anything from donating food to the Lords Storehouse, buying gifts for a Christmas angel at Wal-mart, or visiting an elderly neighbor. There are many opportunities to serve others. Service not only develops spirituality, it connects the community, making it stronger for everyone.

Another way to lower stress while increasing spirituality is meditation. Meditating will lead to a peaceful mind, a relaxed body and a connectedness to something greater. Meditation takes many forms. For some, it takes the form of praying. Others chant. A Zen meditation instructs one to, “sit quietly doing nothing.”  The important thing is to empty the mind. Let go of lists, problems, worries, and fears. Sit quietly and relax. Breathe deeply for a few minutes and allow the body to rest. According to the Mayo Clinic, just a few minutes of meditation can restore calm and inner peace.

Finally, expressing gratitude leads to less stress and greater feelings of connectedness. In this day and time, in this place, blessings and abundance flow. The generosity of the community and the natural beauty of the area are just two things to be thankful for everyday. Even if the day doesn’t go as planned, find something to be grateful for. While everyone does not have everything they want in every moment, it is possible to pause, just for a moment and say thanks. Thanks for life. Thanks for snow. Thanks for sun. Thanks for family. Thanks for friends. And as the thanks pour forth, stress reduces and peace grows.

Small steps toward seeking an individual expression of spirituality will not only reduce stress and decrease depression, but the feeling of peace will transcend understanding.