Busy time? Slow down!

The holidays can be a very stressful time of year for many people. When we look past the Christmas songs, Channuka decorations and family dinners the holiday season may not always be a happy time. We may be worrying about money shortages or searching the malls for the right gifts for the all of the people on our holiday lists. Some of us may be feeling lonely remembering the time when the kids were little and we were a little younger. We may be thinking of the holidays when we ourselves were kids and our parents were young. We may be thinking of loved ones that are no longer with us. Yes, sometimes it can be hard to feel the happiness and joy of the season.

One of the things you can do during this time is slow down. How do we do this? Take a moment to sit quietly and breathe. Our mind can say "slow" on the inhalation and "down" on the exhalation. Notice how you feel when you are breathing. Notice where your body is receiving the breath. Notice how your body feels when it relaxes on the exhale. This will help you focus on your body instead of the stresses of the season. Slow down!!