Christmas is here. We can probably agree that it is best to spend them with those closest to you, in peace and at ease. At least that's what our colleagues and I often wish for when we leave for vacation in the last few days at work. For some it's time with children, for others maybe a party or some wilderness.
But regardless of your tastes, it can be easy to get carried away by the stress and distractions of work, social media and other responsibilities that the Christmas holidays unfortunately don't have. These things often gnaw at your head and keep you awake. Christmas then becomes a period with this unpleasant feeling that something is happening in January or that I have to do this over Christmas. In order to fully enjoy the holidays and be present with your family, it's important to disconnect and recharge for a while.
I already wrote instructions on how to gain control over technologies in another article. Yippee here.
A few tips on how to disconnect and be present with your family during the holidays
- Set boundaries around you. Set clear boundaries with colleagues, clients and/or your boss about when you will be unavailable. This will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed and allow you to fully relax and enjoy time with your family.
- Set boundaries for yourself. Make a schedule where you reserve time for possible work and other obligations. Then stick to that plan. It helps you focus on family and celebrating the holidays without being distracted by work or other commitments when it doesn't fit.
- Can't stand it without work? Do only the essentials and take breaks. Don't feel like you have to do everything. It's okay to take breaks and rest when you need to. Let alone Christmas. This will help you stay fresh and full of energy so that you can fully enjoy your time with your family.
- Turn off your device. Put your phone on silent or airplane mode. Or better yet, don't keep it with you all the time so it doesn't tempt you. Maybe leave him in another room. Can't you live without him? Then at least turn off notifications. For example, turning off push notifications to reduce the temptation to check email or social media updates. And if you have it with you, try to control the urge to look there. In the mail, on Instagram, wherever it takes you. You won't lose anything, don't worry. But I say straight away that it will be difficult.
- Find an alternative. Maybe you've been wanting to watch a movie for a long time. Or read a book prepared in the library. Now is the time. We spend approximately 2.5 hours a day on social networks. Christmas is about a week away. This means that by replacing the figurines you get 17.5 hours of free time. Where did I get those numbers? Here.
- Get involved in joint activities. Plan activities that allow you to spend quality time with your family, such as cooking, playing games, or going for walks. These activities can help you establish contact with your loved ones, for which there is often not much time left during the year. How about such a pexes with children or a trip? That sounds good, doesn't it?
- Practice mindfulness. When you have a moment, do a short breathing exercise or meditation. It will be better than consuming news on news websites. You usually won't find anything very cheerful about them. Breathing exercises will help you stay present with your family and fully enjoy the holiday season without distractions.
Enjoy the here and now
By following these tips, you can disconnect from work and other distractions and be present with your family during the holidays. This will allow you to fully enjoy the moments together and create pleasant memories.
You might also stop for a while. Thanks to this, you will get out of the daily routine and ruts. In such moments, we see things from a slightly different perspective and gain insight that is often missing in the rush of responsibilities.
