The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

As we approach what I know is the most wonderful time of the year, I am also aware of some of my friends who call it the most stressful time of the year. How can something that is so enticing to some be so anxiety provoking for others?? That’s what inspired me to write about it as I believe that what we believe and think influences how we feel and in turn influences how we react to others especially our children.

It got me thinking about all the kids who have difficulties with sensory processing difficulties and especially those who are sensitive to sensory input. Sensory input in terms of loud sounds, chaos in the malls,  flashing/colourful lights and don’t forget the busy people who bump into you constantly as they hurry to catch the sale at the next store. At our house, my kids love Christmas and the Holidays and all the decorations, music and lights but yes we don’t like shopping on Christmas Eve given that it drives people insane and I for one cannot handle the parking lots as I am still an infant in the virtue of patience. This has caused me to develop a coping strategy to not go into the malls during the last few days leading to Christmas (as it drives me insane) which in turn leads me to transfer my anxiety and frustration on to my kids, so now I guess my kids too are programmed not to go into the crowded sensory overloaded places at Christmas time.

But Christmas is not all about negative sensory experiences…. I love the smell of vanilla, cinnamon, pine trees and aroma of fresh baked cookies and fruit cake, the Heavenly music of carols and the Love and Peace of the season showed by people who are in the best spirits of Hope and Happiness. How we feel influences our thinking and vice versa which brings me to the topic of Interoception (8th Sensory System). If we are happy and thrilled, we feel awesome and this is felt in our body by a controlled rhythmical heart rate, smile on our face, loose relaxed muscles etc. If on the other hand, I cannot find a parking spot in the mall– this leads me to be anxious as I have a long shopping list on hand and my body state is that of my tight muscles, clenching of my jaw, fastening Heart rate and sweating palms. But the moment I put on some of my calming Christmas music or maybe a slice of fruit cake, my anxiety reduces and of course the anxiety is completely eliminated as soon as I find that parking spot.

I hope to teach my kids the awareness of their body states so as to recognize their Interoceptive Awareness and in turn develop control of their emotions, so that they develop awesome self regulation skills in this world of sensory overload.  If we all control our emotions and develop our interoception skills, we can enjoy the season we are in and for this time of the year we can help spread Hope and Happiness and Peace as this is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year… Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays to ALL!!!