Finding Calm During Holiday Chaos: Mindfulness Practices

The holiday season often brings a whirlwind of activities, from shopping and cooking to hosting and planning events. For high achievers, this time of year can be particularly overwhelming. However, by incorporating mindfulness techniques into your daily routine, you can find calm and awareness amid the holiday chaos. Here’s how you can enjoy the season with less stress and more joy.

Mindful Breathing Exercises

When you feel overwhelmed, tell your body you believe her/him. Nothing disregards your nervous system faster than teaching her/him that you are wrong for feeling something that’s perfectly natural given the stress you’re under. If after acknowledging how you feel, you still want to practice mindful breathing to center yourself, try this simple exercise:

  1. Find a Quiet Spot: Sit or stand comfortably, ensuring your feet are grounded.
  2. Inhale Deeply: Breathe in slowly through your nose, filling your lungs.
  3. Pause: Hold your breath for a moment and focus on the sensation.
  4. Exhale Slowly: Release your breath gently through your mouth.
  5. Repeat: Continue this cycle for a few minutes, focusing solely on your breathing.

Grounding Practices for Busy Moments

Grounding practices can help you stay present, especially when you’re rushing through holiday tasks. Use these techniques while shopping, cooking, or gift wrapping:

  • Five Senses Exercise: Pause to acknowledge your surroundings with your five senses. Identify one thing you can see, touch, hear, smell, and taste.
  • Foot Awareness: While standing in line or cooking, focus on the connection between your feet and the ground. Notice the support beneath you. What does it feel like to be held by the ground beneath you?

The Takeaway

By weaving mindfulness into your holiday prep, you can change the season from a source of stress into an opportunity for joy and connection. Remember, the key to a joyful holiday lies in presence, awareness, and acknowledging that you’re not wrong for feeling however you feel.

I hope you enjoy this special season with a mindful heart!