With the Holidays coming close, stress levels are rising for many people. Have you ever wondered if it’s possible to not only survive, but actually thrive during the holidays? Using the Bach Flower Remedies can help make that possible!
Here are a few Bach Remedies to consider using during December:
Beech – for intolerance, judgement and criticism. Getting together with family can provoke feelings of intolerance and criticism. Not everyone thinks the same way or does things the way you do, and that can drive a person crazy! Beech can help you become more tolerant of personalities that are different, and bring respect for other’s strengths, weaknesses, and differences.
Cherry Plum – for fear of losing control. If you are afraid of eating too much, or drinking to excess, Cherry Plum can help you stay in control of your holiday gastronomic festivities. If you find you regularly overdue it, Cherry Plum in combination with Chestnut Bud (making the same mistake repeatedly) can help. If you do end up going to excess with eating or drinking, and you feel ill or have a hangover, Crab Apple can help with the uncomfortable symptoms.
Elm – for overwhelm. Sometimes the pressures of ‘getting everything done’ can be overwhelming. Are you so overwhelmed and exhausted that you don’t know where to start? Have you put yourself into the corner of being indispensable? Elm can bring balance to your priorities and help you see where delegating some tasks or pairing down the ‘to-do’ list will be of benefit.
Holly – for hard-heartedness. Are you a Christmas scrooge? Do you struggle to find good will in your heart? Sometimes life circumstances can place us in a scrooge state of ill temper, jealousy, distrust or even rage. Holly can return us to a state of generosity. Holly is one of my favourite remedies, and when I look at this remedy profile, I can’t help but think how appropriate it is that it’s become a symbol for Christmas! Dr. Edward Bach said “Holly protects us from everything that is not universal love. Holly opens the heart and unites us with divine love.” Pine in combination with Holly can help with the guilt we can feel for temporarily losing our sense of good will.
Honeysuckle – for homesickness and nostalgia. Are you away for the holidays, missing family and friends? Has a loved one died, making you nostalgic for the way the holidays used to be? Honeysuckle can help sooth your wistfulness and allow you to be more fully present to enjoy the ‘hear and now’. If your nostalgia is also tinged with a deeper grief and sorrow, you can take Honeysuckle in combination with Star of Bethlehem.
Pine – for guilt. Perhaps you feel you’re not doing enough, or buying enough, or fulfilling other’s (or your own!) expectations. Pine can soften feelings of guilt. It can help free your conscience from inappropriate guilt, or help you forgive yourself for appropriate guilt and move forward in a healthy, balanced way.
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season! And may you thrive during this wonderful, magical time!
For instructions on how to use the Bach Remedies, go here.
For a list of Canadian stores that carry the Bach Flower Remedies, please visit New Perspectives Counselling’s ‘Resources’ page (go to bottom of page).
