Keep meditating through the holidays – here's how
Despite how consistent you’ve been throughout the year, December is notorious for de-railing meditation practices (and many other good habits, right!) and can make even the most dedicated meditator wobble. There’s so much fun to be had that your meditation practice can often just slip your mind, or you remember too late – usually after a glass of wine or when you’re out and about. I get so many students emailing in asking how they can keep their practice up over the holidays, so I’m popping the tips below that I personally find help each year.
1 Morning medi before anything else
The morning is usually the easiest for most of us, so doubling down on doing this as soon as you wake up is really helpful. Avoid scheduling any early morning activities (like brunch etc) that might stop you from doing your morning one. Then wake up, splash your face, go to the loo, brush your teeth and scrape your tongue then sit straight down before any kind of stimulants – before phones, food or caffeine (and since it’s that time of year, morning mimosas go on that list too). Get your morning done and that's 50% of your daily practice complete!
2 Be really flexible with where you practice
If you're out and about, meditate in the car or nip off to a park bench. If you’re at someone’s house, pluck up the courage to ask if you can borrow their spare room for 20 minutes. You’ve probably got your usual medi spots, but if your schedule’s out of whack or you’re out and about a lot more, you’ll need to be flexible. Vedic meditation was made to be adaptable and fit around you – not the other way around, so shake things up and make wherever you are your very own medi spot.
3 Ask for support
If you’re struggling to fit your meditation in because of other commitments, ask your partner/family/friends if they'd be kind enough to watch the kids/unpack the dishwasher/hold down the fort for 20 minutes. Gently explain that you’d love the support as you’d really like to keep your practice up. You might even like to offer a trade so that they can enjoy 20 minutes to recharge too.
4 Meditate before you intoxicate
If you choose to enjoy a vino over the festive season, do so mindfully and enjoy it. But meditate first. This might mean asking your partner to drive to the party or taking an Uber so you can meditate on the way. Or it might mean holding off on the beach beers for 20 minutes and doing your practice first. You’ll feel like an absolute hero for taking care of yourself in this way, and might even find you emerge feeling clearer, calmer and more present, and less in need of alcohol to enjoy yourself. And if you forget, let it go and make sure you meditate in the morning - there's some excellent anecdotal evidence on meditation being a very effective hangover cure!
Lastly, be really really kind to yourself. There is often enough pressure and stress at this time of year, so don't use your meditation practice as another chance to be hard on yourself. If you miss a medi, give yourself a gentle hug and recommit for the next one. This is a meditation practice, and we can always begin again.