take good care of yourself, and you’ll enjoy the holidays more. so will everyone around you.
The most wonderful time of the year can also be the most jam-packed and stressful, especially this year. Here are a few super-simple practices for holding it together.
start with intention
Set the stage for a peaceful, productive day by adding mindfulness to your morning. It could be as simple as a ten-minute guided meditation or a five-item gratitude list. Investing in a new meditation cushion or fresh journal might help spark a new habit. If things are so hectic that you can’t even spare ten minutes, try this instead: pause occasionally throughout the day, inhale deeply, and say “thank you” as you exhale.
manage your workload
Does your holiday to-do list resemble an epic novel? We suggest creating a daily spin-off list that includes only those tasks you can achieve in a day. A manageable load is a lot less overwhelming—especially when it includes essential activities that are also fun, like swapping cookie recipes.
get moving
The fastest way to calm a busy brain is to move your body. Even if you don’t have time for a full workout, a five-minute stretching session with resistance bands or a walk around the block will transform your mood. Use your walk to make a necessary call if it makes you feel more productive. Get your kids into the groove with surprise three-minute boogie breaks: Randomly blast the family’s current jam and everyone stops what they’re doing to dance or do jumping jacks. With portable wireless speakers the potential for popup dance parties is limitless.
grab a nap
Whether you go for a catnap or a full-on log-sawing sesh, sleep provides a delicious escape from the pressures of the day. (Tuck yourself under a weighted blanket for a pressure you won’t want to escape.) When you wake up refreshed and restored, you may discover that your subconscious brain has been busy finding solutions to pesky dilemmas, like what to feed your vegan niece on Thanksgiving.
connect with loved ones irl
It may take a bit more effort these days, but there’s no substitute for real human interaction. Spending time with people you care about is good for the body, mind, and spirit. Invite someone you love to catch up over a cup of coffee or a cocktail or walk and talk. If you can’t meet in person, you can schedule a Zoom or phone call (texting doesn’t count). Even a few minutes communing with your pooch or hamster will have the desired effect.
take mini cleaning breaks
If your work is sedentary, it’s important to take a short break every hour or so. Resist the urge to lunge for your phone. Instead, take five to ten minutes to dust the contents of a bookshelf, say, or clean out the produce bin in the fridge. You’ll get a mental reset that also shortens your to-do list, so you can focus on the fun parts of holiday prep.
ease into sleep with bedtime rituals
The better you sleep, the better you feel, and the better your days go. To achieve optimal zzz’s, set your device to “do not disturb” at the same time every night and cue your body for slumber with some simple wind-down practices. Try savoring a cup of chamomile tea or cuddling with a loved one—the four-legged kind will do. Sink into a hot bath and enjoy an audiobook. Add the gentle flame and fragrance of scented candle. Then count your blessings as you drift off to dreamland.