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The “unofficial” start to the holidays has begun. All of the retail stores have been throwing up Christmas since before Halloween ended. No joke — I was shopping at the Edinburgh outlets on Oct. 30, and there was holiday music blasting from all the speakers. Even for a Christmas lover like myself, it was a tad too early. I’m sure your December calendars are getting booked with holiday gatherings and festivities. Don’t forget about all of the section and division holiday parties — you can find them at www.indybar.org.
Since this will be my last President’s Message until after the holidays, I thought I’d take the opportunity to offer some holiday wellness. You can treat it as a “12 Days of Wellness” challenge, or randomly choose a few that speak to you. Whatever your method, I hope they bring you some peace, respite and maybe even some joy this holiday season.
Day One — Breathe. Very simple, but necessary given the days of inevitable chaos ahead. Deep breaths can temper anxiety and calm the mind. Whenever you feel stressed or anxious over the next month — and you will — remember that five good, full, deep breaths (from the diaphragm, in through the nose and out the mouth) can bring you back to a state of peace and ready to tackle whatever lies ahead.
Day Two — Focus your commitments over the next month. Spend a few moments prioritizing the “must do’s” — (hint, you MUST attend at least one IndyBar holiday party) — and ranking the rest of December’s events in order of importance to you and your family. Does eliminating an annual activity or event make sense this year? Do you want to spend at least one weekend night at home in front of the fire, watching a movie, playing games with your family or reading a good book? Make your list and then stick to it. It will help make the holidays more manageable and more meaningful.
Day Three — Remember your financial wellness is every bit as important as your physical and emotional wellness. Where do you want to be financially on Jan. 1? How does that affect what you purchase this month? How does that impact gifts for others? Charitable contributions? Distributions within your firm? Spend some time now planning for the month ahead, rather than looking back in hindsight.
Day Four — Aim to drink at least 80 oz. of water per day. Don’t ask why. Just do it; your body will thank you. If you hate plain water, infuse it with lemon, lime, orange or any kind of fruit you like. My favorite combo is cucumber and mint. Or drink sparkling water — there are dozens of brands out there.
Day Five — End each day with an expression of gratitude for someone or something you are thankful for. It can be verbal, silent or written in a journal. Better yet, send a quick note of appreciation to someone special. It will give some perspective on what’s important this time of year.
Day Six — Close your door and treat yourself to a three-minute meditation. Try the apps Aura, Insight Timer or Headspace, or simply close your eyes, picture a peaceful location and repeat a calming mantra.
Day Seven — Do some meal prepping for the days ahead: chop veggies or herbs for upcoming meals, bake a couple of casseroles or make larger batches of soups to freeze in smaller portions. Those frozen meals will come in handy on a busy evening. While you’re prepping, consider making a healthy “treat” to contribute to a holiday gathering.
Day Eight — Take a yoga class. The stretches will soothe a tired body but you will feel invigorated and refreshed when you are done. Plus, every yoga class ends with savasana (corpse pose), so there is a built-in nap at the end! If you can’t get to a class, there are plenty of options on You Tube for free that you can try.
Day Nine — Play some holiday music while at the office, in the car or while you are taking a walk. Pandora or Spotify have various options besides the traditional music (“Electronic Holidays” is particularly cool). If holiday tunes aren’t your thing, try jazz, classical or anything that promotes a good mood and healthy attitude.
Day 10 — Keep your immune system strong. It’s easy to get run down this time of year (even without the constantly present COVID worry). Take some Zinc or extra Vitamin C to help keep illnesses at bay. Drink hot tea with lemon and honey before bed to keep your vocal cords in check and clear your throat and nose. Another favorite is golden milk, a combination of nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamon, ginger, turmeric and your choice of milk. Strange ingredients, but it’s full of antioxidants and downright delish. Just google the recipe.
Day 11 — You’ve probably spent much of this month doing things for others. Today, do something nice for yourself. Get a massage, your nails done, your shoes shined. Read a book or the newspaper without interruption. Turn your phone off for an hour (or more). You deserve it.
Day 12 — Practice the art of self-forgiveness. It’s OK (not to mention normal) if you didn’t cross everything off the list or accomplish everything this year that you set out to do. Don’t worry, the world won’t come crashing down, and your colleagues/friends/family won’t hate you. In fact, they’ll forgive you; so go ahead and forgive yourself. Resolve to do better in 2023 and write down three ways you might improve next year.
Bonus: No matter your religious beliefs, enjoy a day or two of rest. Smile and laugh. Spend time with your family and friends. Be grateful for your blessings, the legal profession and the Indianapolis community at large. Happy Holidays! •
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