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“With The Right Intentions, Allow This Christmas Positive, Powerful And Healing For You”

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”6928″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]You get to decide how Christmas is going to be for you this year. Regardless of circumstances, you have the ability to make this a powerful, positive and healing time for you. Let me explain.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I know for many of us Christmas I a wonderful and joyous time while for others it is subdued, lonely or illness-focused.

So how can we ‘make the best’ of this Christmas and really use this time to celebrate, nourish and heal in a deeper, more profound way?

It comes down to being intentional about how you want your Christmas to be. Let’s plan to embellish the highs and be sensitive to our vulnerabilities in a way that is positive and promotes our wellbeing. A great way to do this is to work out your Christmas Theme for 2022.

Let’s Design Your Christmas Theme
An easy way to begin to do this is to focus on the emotions – they are our guide to what’s happening for us at a deeper level. Think about what kind of emotions you want to experience over Christmas. Of course we will all experience all sorts of emotions, but what would you like to be a focus for you? What emotions would be appropriate to really acknowledge so that they are honored and not ignored.  Now I’m not talking about superficial levels here! Go a little deeper and tease out what’s below the surface. I suggest you choose between 1 and 3.

Here are a 2 very different examples. I’ve over simplified things here, but you’ll get the point and you can then apply the process to your situation.

eg 1: A kind of obvious one is just enjoying being around family. But looking a little deeper there is a strong feeling of appreciation towards your sister and for the ways she has supported you this this even though it hasn’t been easy for her.  You may feel this love and appreciation for others in your family as well for different reasons. Can you articulate what this appreciation is for and how does it feel to you?

eg 2: Experiencing an illness or injury (yes that’s my knee!). How will I feel if I am not physically feeling well, or in pain on Christmas day? Would be easy to feel depressed! What if my health is not going to ever get back to what it was before? Ok, so Christmas may be more subdued this year.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”64px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”6819″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

The Alternative

The alternative to having an intentional theme, is to leave things more to chance allowing our emotions to be more easily side-tracked, depending on what’s happening around us. It’s a bit like an athlete who turns up to a major event, not fully prepared and expects to do well and qualify for the state championship.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Allow Your Theme To Emerge!

Now that you given some thought about the emotions that may come up for you around Christmas, can you build a bit of a theme around them that is true to what you feel and honours what is is that you need that’s nourishing, positive or perhaps embellishing. Using the above examples:

eg1: I want one theme this Christmas to be about appreciation of family members that have been part of my life

eg 2: I want one theme to be acceptance – acknowledging my health as it is right now. Accepting that I might feel depressed at times over Christmas.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”64px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”6936″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Intentionally Shape Your Christmas

So now that you have 1-3 themes, have a think about how you might be able to express those themes or re-word them in a way that is not only real and truthful but also positive in one way or another. Ok, back to our examples:

eg1: I’m going to hand make some ‘appreciation’ Christmas cards this year and express my love to certain family members. I will find a beautiful poem to read out just before Christmas dinner.

eg2: On Christmas morning, I will still do a meditation I found on line to help release some anger I feel about my health and how it has affected me. But then I’ll reflect on the last 12 months and remind myself of all the positive things that have happened to me throughout the year. “Even though I may feel low at times over Christmas, I intend, as much as I can to acknowledge all the good things I have experienced over the last 12 months.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Embellish Your Theme

eg1: I’ll make a card to hand out to everyone on Christmas day, expressing why I appreciate them. I’m going to make a real effort to find something to appreciate in people I meet over Christmas and if and when it’s appropriate, I’ll tell them! Or I might tell them anyway!

eg2: I am going gift myself a new journal, a nice pen and a candle for Christmas and spend time day-dreaming about the next 12 months and  write down my aspirations and dreams for 2023 no matter how ‘big’ or ‘small’.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”6938″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Possible Themes

Here are some ideas for your Christmas Themes – tweak and modify accordingly!
-Celebration of family
-Appreciation of friendships
-Progress with your health
-The joy of a relationship
-Christian reflections
-Taking a rest from work
-Acknowledging loneliness
-Reflecting on the pandemic and government responses
-The loss of friends & loved ones
-The level of your current health
-Health: your current state of health, healing that has occurred, how you’d like your health to be in 12 months time,
-Relationships: Celebrate family & friends, , appreciation and love for a partner, acknowledging loniness, the loss of friends and loved ones
-Spiritual: Reflect on how much you are loved, Christian qualities, your belief in a greater power,
-Personal: celebrate achievements, acknowledge disappointments, taking a rest from work,[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

How Would You Like This Christmas To Be For You?

So as you can see, there are ways to influence how we experience times like Christmas. I’d love you to let me know how you intend your Christmas to be this year.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”64px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Pictures

1: Pic by Monicore: https://pixabay.com/users/monicore-1499084/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=3009949

2: Man thinking: from Pixabay. https://pixabay.com/users/peggy_marco-1553824/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=5011953

3:Deborah Hudson – Card: https://pixabay.com/users/hudsoncrafted-5201554/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=3481061

4: Candle: https://pixabay.com/users/congerdesign-509903/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=1750640[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Intentional Stretching:
A Path To Healing

 

There are many different ways to stretch (1), depending on what you want to achieve and the current state of your muscles and joints. Sometime strengthening certain muscle groups is also important, it in this article I’m focusing on stretching. Generally speaking, gentle and very controlled stretching can be a wonderful addition to a holistic approach for musculoskeletal problems – in other words, when you are trying to address various aches, pains or injuries. When it comes to healing and treating these problems, incorporating mindful and gentle approach is usually the way to go. I call it, intentional stretching.

Mobility
Firstly, gentle and appropriate stretching helps improve flexibility and range of motion within the limits of a particular injury or restriction. This is particularly beneficial if you’re dealing with physical discomfort or restricted movement due to muscles or joints. It encourages blood flow to the muscles, promoting healing and reducing stiffness as well as helping inflammation to subside.

Mindfulness
In the context of a holistic approach, that is intension stretching, this practice not only addresses the physical aspect but also taps into the mind-body connection. As you stretch, focus on your breath and cultivate a sense of mindfulness. This can help you become more aware of your body’s needs and promote a deeper connection between your mental and physical well-being.

Mind Body Techniques
You may already know that as a Homoeopath & Naturopath part of my approach is to help make sure that my clients have the right kind of mindset while they are taking natural medicines in order to maximise their health and healing. While you are treating, for example, a sore back, or headaches or stiffness in your shoulders, then having the right kind of mindset is going to give you that healing edge. So as you are stretching, visualise the muscles releasing and feel how good it feels to release tension. You can take some time to imagine or even journal on how it feels to be healing, feeling the relief. Enjoying how your body feels. Now this might seem a bit strange if your not used to doing this sort of thing, but it’s taking basic visualisation and positive thinking to the next level.

Consistency
Remember, consistency in your stretching is really important and will help you to get the best results. Regular, gentle stretching, coupled with your holistic approach and possibly some natural medicines, can become a valuable part of your overall well-being routine. Listen to your body, be patient, and celebrate the progress along the way. Now many of my clients are ‘time poor’ and find it difficult to spend a lot of time stretching. Now let me tell you a little secret – even if you do 5 minutes when ever you can, that is far better than doing none at all right? Also if you are cherry picking your stretching, doing the salient ones that will give you the biggest benefit, then it makes it much easier to maintain a bit of a stretching program that consists of 4 or 5 or even just 2, stretches. You can always build on what you are doing.

And Remember….

If you think the exercises are not helping then let your practitioner know. Sometimes a bit of tweaking makes all the difference.
It goes without saying, unless you have been told otherwise by your therapist, if there is any pain or discomfort – STOP!

References:

(1) Current Concepts In Muscle Stretching For Exercise And Rehabilitation https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3273886/

Pictures

Main Pic: yoga-day-4542707_640
Image by Veronica Bosley from Pixabay
https://pixabay.com/users/veronicatxoxo-13701527/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=4542707

Dog Pose: yoga-2662227_640
Image by Keifit from Pixabay. https://pixabay.com/users/keifit-2065861/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=1686065

Red Singlet: yoga-2662227_640
Image by 3534679 from Pixabay
https://pixabay.com/users/3534679-3534679/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=2662227