This holiday season can be filled with moments of joy, happiness, peace, and appreciation for the many blessings in life. At the same time, if we are not careful, this time of year can quickly produce anxiety, fear,depression, and exhaustion. In order for each of us to live the abundant and fulfilling life we desire; it is important that we are intentional in how we take care of ourselves while enjoying this time of year with family and friends. The year 2020 has been one truly for the ages. As this year of mass turmoil, civil unrest, and uncertainty comes to an end, let us also be mindful of the power we each have to control our time and how we move going forward to end this year in the best way possible.
In taking care of our self, I would like to share three (3) areas of our personal health to pay particular attention to as we wrap up this year. These areas are our mental, physical and financial health. Each of which works jointly with the other. Together, they have the power to set us up for success and ensure we can
present the best version of our self to family, friends and the community at large.
Mental
“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7)
First, let us consider the time needed to invest in our mental health and peace of mind. In the hustle and bustle of this holiday season, thinking of all that we have to get done in the future days and weeks, take the time to be fully present in each moment and appreciate what is in front of us. Spend less time worried or overly preoccupied with the future. This will positively impact how we show up in the present. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries.
Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (Matthew 6:34)
Also, spend less time and energy thinking about regrets or challenges of the past. What has been done cannot be undone. But what we can do is focus on making our todays the absolute best they can be. To support our mental health this holiday season, consider meditation for 5 to 10 minutes and reading a daily devotional containing scripture and spiritual reflections. Start a daily gratitude journal to list the things you appreciate. Get outside in the sunlight as much as you can each day. You will be surprised how much the sunlight can impact your state of mind.
Lastly, manage or eliminate time on social media until the new year. It can be easy to get caught up in the constant observation of others’ “social media highlight reels” and compare them to your personal daily struggles. It is a recipe for depression and anxiety. Guard your mind and plan for how you will protect your peace of mind.
Physical
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit,
who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not
your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with
your bodies.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
Next, after we have secured our mental health routines, consider how much time to invest each day to ensure that your physical body is healthy. During this time of year, many of us are in hibernation mode due to the colder weather. Stay active as much as possible even if it is while staying inside your home. Avoid sitting or lying down too long. Set a goal to stretch and walk each day. This does not have to be a long and arduous task. You will be amazed at what five minutes a day done consistently over the next three months can accomplish. Also, to many of us, the holiday season is our favorite time of year because it is when our diets are put on pause as we enjoy our favorite family dishes. I must admit that I cannot think of another time during the year that I eat as “good” as during the November/ December holidays. That said, I must be aware of when I’m straddling the line of overindulgence and need to rebalance.
For clarity, I am not saying to avoid enjoying grandma’s sweet potato pie. Life is certainly for the living. At the same time, let us be mindful of how much we are consuming and ensure we are maintaining proper balance. This should make our new year’s resolution.
Financial
“In the House of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a
foolish man devours all he has.” (Proverbs 21:20)
Last, but certainly not least, is our financial health. The holidays are filled with giving and receiving. The amount of spending on food, gifts, traveling, and other types of fun can do a number on our personal finances if we are not careful. While money and possessions can provide short term fun, please also be reminded that they rarely provide long lasting happiness. Remember this
as you are thinking about how you spend your hard-earned money now and
into next year. Trying to buy your or someone else’s happiness is a recipe for
financial waste and can put your longer-term goals at risk of not being achieved.
Here are a few tips to consider that may set you and your loved ones up for
long term success. First, set a budget and stick to it. If you have people you
wish to buy gifts, make a list of,and set a dollar amount for how much you are
willing and able to spend for each person. When you add it all up, you may be
surprised at the total. As needed, give yourself flexibility to scale back or be
more generous. When thinking about the types of gifts you purchase, consider its value now and into the future. How long will your gift keep giving? One example is instead of a gift card to a retail store, you can now purchase gift cards for shares of stocks.One resource is Stockpile.com. I hope these quick reminders to take care of our mental, physical, and financial health serve you and your family well now and into the new year.
I’d appreciate the opportunity to connect. For more information, visit
MatthewWagstaff.com and connect with me on LinkedIn. Until the next time…
Live Long & Prosper!
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