The Holidays are OVER!!!

How did you do?  Be honest with yourself.  Did you let the emotions of the day overtake you?  Did you use food to squash all those anxious feelings you might have felt?  There is something about the holiday season that can trigger our negative emotions and make us vulnerable to our old eating habits. 

The trick is to be aware of what is happening when it’s happening.  And figure out what actions you are going to take to relieve those emotions in a healthy way.  I realize this is easier said than done.  It requires a commitment to yourself and your own internal healing.

You might want to try this simple exercise.  Get into a relaxed state and close your eyes.  Do some deep breathing for a few minutes to create a calm, still state.  Then visualize yourself in a situation you know tends to trigger you.  Watch yourself react.  Feel what happens in your body.  Do you tense up?  Where in your body do you feel it?  Does it feel like a contracted, closed state? 

Next, wipe the slate of your mind clear.  Actually visualize an eraser wiping it clean.  Now visualize the same situation.  This time watch yourself react in a positive way.  In the way you want to react.  See yourself making different, positive choices.  Now feel what that feels like in your body.  Do you feel more expanded?  More relaxed?  More empowered? 

If you don’t, think of something that gives you those positive feelings. Maybe it was your baby’s face when they were sleeping or the purr of your kitten.  Feel what it feels like to feel really happy and relaxed. Create those feelings in your body.  Then see the trigger situation again and change the feelings to those of relaxed happiness.

Before you come out of this calm state, tell yourself this positive reaction is the way you will react from now on.  Get excited about the changes you are making to be in control of yourself and your emotional state.