Zest Lifestyle’s Post

Regardless of whether you celebrate Christmas itself, the lead up to the festive period and the end of year, is a manic one for many. It can make it extremely hard to switch off and to be in the moment. The temptation is often to look to the future in the lead up - planning ahead or over thinking all the details. And then on Christmas day itself it can be tempting to dwell on the past - what previous Christmas' have been like or about those who are no longer with you or even comparing yourselves to others on social media. Therefore, it's important to try to switch off the distractions and instead to focus on the present and enjoy the moments as they arrive. Unplug from devices and superficial distractions and instead gather together with family and friends and soak up unstructured opportunities for deepening bonds. Play board games, get crafty, read a book in silence, whatever it is that works to help you slow down and to be present this Christmas. #5pillarsofvitality #Think #BusinessAsAForceForGood #Mindfulness #BeingintheMoment #Present #BeingPresent

Christmas is such a joyful season, filled with festive lights, cheerful music, and delicious treats! 🎄✨ But for some, all the excitement can lead to sensory overload. Here are a few tips for creating a sensory-friendly Christmas: ✨ Be Conscious of Crowds: the holidays are a busy time of year, especially when shopping for gifts! While you're out and about, be mindful of the rush and try to shop during off-peak hours. ✨Create Something Together: making sensory-friendly ornaments and decorations is a fantastic way to not only make memories but to cultivate a space that everyone can enjoy. ✨Enjoying Christmas Lights: one of the best parts of the holidays is enjoying all of the beautiful light displays! However, these displays can be overstimulating, especially when lights are flashing and music is blasting in the background. Look for drive-thru light shows and bring noise-canceling headphones to enjoy the displays from the comfort of your vehicle! Let's celebrate the season with mindfulness and warmth💛🎁 #SensoryFriendly #Christmas #HolidaySeason #TisTheSeason #Mindfulness

Ever noticed how real growth kicks in when you step out of your comfort zone? 🌟 This holiday season, I decided to try something new—I joined a dance class to prepare for a Christmas party performance. Now, let me tell you, dancing in front of people was never my thing. But the idea of celebrating the festive spirit in a fun, unique way pushed me to give it a shot. The first few sessions? Total chaos. 🎄 While others were gliding like pros, I was tripping over imaginary candy canes. I even thought about giving up, thinking, Maybe I’m just not meant to dance. But something about the festive cheer—maybe it was the Christmas music or the warm encouragement from others—kept me going. Slowly but surely, I started getting the moves, laughing at my missteps, and feeling more confident. By the time the party arrived, I wasn’t just dancing; I was having the time of my life! 🎅✨ This little adventure reminded me that growth is the best gift we can give ourselves. You don’t need to be perfect to start—you just need to show up and enjoy the process. 🚀 So, as we wrap up this year, what’s one thing you’ve done (or want to try) that takes you out of your comfort zone? Let’s share, celebrate, and inspire each other this festive season! 🎁" #GrowthJourney #ChristmasVibes #HolidayCheer #SteppingOutOfComfortZone #PersonalDevelopment #FestiveSeason #NewExperiences #CelebrateGrowth

How are we all doing? Have any of you found yourself wishing Mariah Carey would just get back into her block of ice? This is a safe space, you can admit it here... It's the season for family, friends and festive jumpers but as we all know, the Christmas period brings with it a spotlight shining bright on our relationships with others. It's little wonder that family gatherings at this time of year tend to be fertile ground for conflict and a sprinkling of tensions. Four quick tips to provide you with a mindful Christmas: 💡 - Listen to conversations with acceptance and patience: You don't have to agree with everything a relative is saying, listen with the intent to understand and not to judge. 💡 - Allow space for emotion: Observe whatever arises and know that you don't have to act or react. Simply allow it to pass through with acceptance and non-judgement. 💡 - Leave expectations outside: Don't let yourself get bombarded with the ideals of unity, joy, and harmony - stay mindfully present with the interactions as they unfold. 💡 - Try and see the good in others: Yep, I know this is a tricky one but it's mostly always possibile to find qualities you admire in people, whether that's humour, generosity, or positive intentions. Bringing a hint of mindfulness to all of our interactions can help us all to navigate our way through this period and build positive connections this Christmas time. Let me know your hints and tips for achieving a mindful Christmas in the comments below. 👇 #MindfulChristmas #PositiveConnections #MindfulnessTips #EmotionalAwareness #HolidayMindfulness

The festive season is in full swing, and for many of us, it’s a whirlwind of catching up with loved ones, ticking off to-do lists and enjoying seasonal traditions. It's such a busy time, but also one of the most special. How are you making time to recharge this weekend? For me, this weekend is all about reconnecting with friends before Christmas. It will be a joyful one... filled with conversations, laughter and festive cheer. While I might not have enough time for a quiet walk, I always make space to pause, reflect and appreciate these connections. That feels especially meaningful this year as I look back on my journey and realise just how far I've come since April/May. Moments like these remind me of how much there is to celebrate - both in life's big milestones and in the small, everyday joys. Even in the busiest moments, there’s something magical about pausing to take it all in - the laughter of friends, the sparkle of festive lights or the crispness of the winter air when you take a deep breath. Gratitude has been such an important part of my recovery, and this season only deepens that feeling. This season is as much about connection as it is about celebration. How are you making time for both? 🎄 What’s one festive tradition or moment you’re looking forward to this weekend? 🌳 How do you find balance during the busyness of the holiday season? #SerenityInTheWoods #Gratitude #Mindfulness #Photography

How to make the best of the next days? How to feel peaceful, no matter what? Hmm.. 1. Let go of your expectations about how Christmas should be, how your family members should behave, how you should feel. ACCEPT what is. 2.Remind yourself about the fact that you are NOT RESPONSIBLE for Christmas, nor for every emotion of your beloved ones. The only things to hang onto these days are: 3. GRATEFULNESS for being alive, for having a home, for your meal, for having someone to hug or to laugh with.. 4. CONNECTION with your family and friends who you want to share these precious moments with. Find the easiest ways to connect with each other: the topics you both love to talk about, the movies you all like to watch, the games you most enjoy together. You do not have to invent anything new, just be mindful and kind. 5. In case you are still missing something, please do not forget to connect to yourself and GIVE yourself everything you need this Christmas! ❓Any tips you would add❓ Feel free to share with us. 👇 #christmastips #sharinglove #happyholidays2024

🍁 As Halloween festivities light up different parts of the world, let’s embrace this time as an opportunity to practice mindfulness together. Whether you’re celebrating, observing, or simply enjoying the season, a mindful approach can bring calm and joy to the day. Here are some tips to help you stay present: Savor the Sights 🎃 – Take a moment to notice the colors, textures, and shapes around you. Whether it’s the glow of a carved pumpkin, a festive decoration, or a cozy cup of tea, let these details fill you with a sense of calm and appreciation. Listen Deeply 🔊 – Tune into the sounds around you—laughter, footsteps crunching on leaves, soft music, or the quiet hum of nature. Let these sounds bring you into the present moment, connecting you to the energy around you. Breathe with Intention 💨 – Take slow, intentional breaths. Feel the air fill your lungs, hold for a moment, then release gently. Use each breath as a way to anchor yourself in your surroundings. For those celebrating, may your night be filled with joy and laughter; for those observing, may it bring you moments of tranquility and peace. 🌙✨ Wherever you are and however you spend the evening, let’s share in the spirit of presence and gratitude. 🍂 -Melissa 🫶 #BraverForTomorrow #MindfulLiving #AutumnNights #PresenceAndPeace #SeasonalMindfulness #HappyHalloween

🎄 Stay Connected as a Couple This Christmas 🎄 The festive season is full of joy, but it can also be a busy and stressful time, making it easy to lose sight of your relationship. This year, focus on staying close with these gentle tips: 1️⃣ Make Time for Each Other With so much going on, it’s important to set aside moments just for the two of you. Whether it’s wrapping presents, decorating, or enjoying a quiet walk, these shared moments can help you feel more connected. 2️⃣ Talk Openly The Christmas break can bring up a mix of emotions. Take time to share how you’re feeling, listen to each other, and work together to manage any stress. Clear, honest communication can strengthen your bond. 3️⃣ Set Family Boundaries Spending time with family is wonderful, but it’s okay to set limits. Decide together how you’ll balance family visits and what works best for both of you. 4️⃣ Let Go of Perfection Your Christmas doesn’t have to be picture-perfect. Focus on enjoying time with each other, and if things don’t go as planned, try to laugh it off. The little imperfections often make the best memories. This Christmas, let your relationship take center stage – it’s the most meaningful gift you can share. #xmasTogetherness #CoupleTime #SimpleJoy Medi8 Therapy

Here’s how to make this Christmas Eve joyful, balanced and peaceful: 💖 Set an intention, not a resolution. Focus on setting an intention for today. How do you want to feel after your meal? Calm, satisfied and free of guilt? Or stuffed and uncomfortable? You can enjoy the food, but also choose to be mindful. Your intention will guide you toward making choices that align with how you want to feel tomorrow. 🌟 Give yourself permission to enjoy without guilt. Emotional eating often stems from restriction or fear of “losing control.” If you tell yourself “I’m not allowed to have that extra slice of pie”, guess what’s going to happen? You’ll crave it even more. Instead, allow yourself a small treat, savour it and then move on. There’s no need for punishment after pleasure. 🧠 Slow down & tune in. The Christmas meal is often rushed and before you know it, you’ve eaten everything on your plate and then some. Pause before you take that second portion. Ask yourself: “Am I still hungry or am I eating out of habit or emotion?” Slowing down gives you the chance to connect with your body’s signals and enjoy each bite mindfully. 🎁 Practice compassion, not perfection. It’s easy to feel like you’ve “failed” if you eat more than you planned. But perfection isn’t the goal, self-compassion is. If you overeat, be kind to yourself. Tomorrow’s another day, and one meal doesn’t define your journey. 🎉 Shift the focus to connection, not just the food. We often associate holiday gatherings with massive amounts of food, but the true joy comes from spending time with loved ones and creating memories. Engage in conversation, laughter and connection - you’ll find that the food naturally becomes less of the focus when you’re fully present with others. 💫 Remember, Christmas is about love and celebration, not guilt and restrictions. Give yourself the gift of peaceful eating, self-compassion and balance. This is your moment to enjoy both the food and the company without letting food control your feelings. Have the most amazing Christmas!!🎄☃️🥳 #EmotionalEating #FeedYourBody #Mindset

Just before Christmas Eve arrives, I just want to give you 3 tips to manage your Christmas well: 1. Take time out to breathe - when you start to feel overwhelmed or the stress is building up, take 3 long, deep breaths. #Grounding activities such as #mindfulness are also good. 2. Make #selfcare a priority. You may well be caring and preparing for others but make time to look after yourself too whether that’s a long, hot bath or going for a run/ walk to de-stress, do something that helps you to feel good about yourself. 3. Keep things #simple. It’s easy to overload yourself with tasks to make things perfect for Christmas. However, all that extra work can be overwhelming or exhausting. Think about the things that matter to you most and prioritise those. Have a peaceful and restful #Christmas! Wishing you a blessed 2025! #manageableChristmas #keepitsimple #breathe #avoidoverwhelm