Ah, the holiday season — the most wonderful time of the year! Despite what is often said about this time of year, the holidays can be complex for many of us. They bring up stress, grief, confusion, and all sorts of intense feelings. ❄️

Between endless parties, traveling and hosting, catering to your family’s needs, body image triggers, and the shopping frenzy — the holidays can be a lot to juggle. No matter how or what you celebrate, you deserve space to rest, nourish, and nurture yourself. 

“No matter how or what you celebrate, you deserve space to rest, nourish, and nurture yourself.”

This time of year, as beautiful as it is, can completely knock you off kilter. Know that you have a place inside of you to come back to no matter how many tempting Black Friday emails you get or how many times Great Aunt Lolo (yes she’s real) asks you if you’re dating anyone. 

This calm and centered place is yours to come back to again and again so that you’re not left feeling like you need a vacation after your vacation. Finding space in yourself helps you to remember the joy and magic of this time of year, takes the edge off the intensity that can come with the holidays, and allows you to be present with who and what’s in front of you.

Still, it can be difficult to find the time to practice self-care when you’re busy tending to all the details that come with the holiday season. That’s why we pulled together some mindful tips on how to be kind to yourself and stay in touch with your body during the holidays.

1. Maintain your non-negotiables.

When you’re rushing around during the holidays, making time for yourself is often one of the last things on your mind. That’s why it’s so important to know what your non-negotiables are.  Non-negotiables are the foundation of your self-care routine. They’re the things that you do every day, no matter what’s going on. These simple tools act as your anchor to bring you back to a calm and centered place — especially during the hectic holidays. 

“These simple tools act as your anchor to bring you back to a calm and centered place — especially during the hectic holidays.”

The best thing about non-negotiables is that they’re usually things you can do even while traveling. Some easy examples to integrate into your holiday self-care routine are: Going for a walk if the weather permits (even a short one can help shift your mood); doing your morning and evening skincare routine; or reading for a few minutes before bed. 

If you don’t already have an idea of what your non-negotiables are, then take a moment to think about the things you do every day to keep yourself centered and grounded — it’s best if these are no-frills activities to keep it as simple as possible during the holidays.

2. Do a mindful body scan.

One of the trickiest things that can come up during the holidays is your relationship with your body. You’re surrounded by unusually heavy food, may not be able to stick to your usual movement or exercise routine, and your sleep schedule may also be out of whack from traveling. Know that it’s completely okay to indulge a bit or take a week or two off from working out. You’re not going to set yourself back by enjoying the festivities for a week here and there.

“One of the trickiest things that can come up during the holidays is your relationship with your body.”

Try checking in with your body about how it’s feeling and what you need to try to maintain some balance. A body scan meditation is a great way to do this.

Do you need to eat a hearty salad before your next holiday dinner? Can you take three (or twenty!) minutes to stretch out the aches from your cross-country flight? Do you just need to reassure yourself that it’s ok to eat the treats and trust that you’ll be able to get back to your routine after the holidays? Your body knows what you need, so try to create more spaciousness by honoring those needs.

3. Practice gratitude.

With all the hustle and bustle, gratitude is the glue that holds it all together. At the end of the day, why are you doing all this? All the traveling, hosting, cooking, and preparing is so you can enjoy time with your loved ones — whether they’re blood or chosen family. A gratitude practice may be a bit cliche, but there’s a reason for that — it works! It’s so important to come back to the pieces of your life that fill you up, support you, and bring you joy.

“It’s so important to come back to the pieces of your life that fill you up, support you, and bring you joy.”

Practicing gratitude brings a softness to the stressful ebbs and flows of the holidays. It’s an easy way to come back to what’s important and remind you to center what matters most. You can practice gratitude in your head, in your journal, or use it as a way to connect with your family by sharing out loud during meal times.

Gratitude brings depth and love to experiences while softening our edges. We all occasionally need this reminder and the holidays are a great time to get back into a gratitude practice. 

4. Have an emotional emergency toolkit.

Your flight gets delayed (again). Your relative says yet another triggering comment. You’re tired from sleeping on the pull-out couch and have an incredibly short fuse. The holidays can make you crack — it happens to the best of us. You can help prevent that, or come back to center when it happens by having an emotional emergency toolkit. This is different from your non-negotiables because they may not be tools you use every day, but you know they’re in your back pocket when you need them.

“This is different from your non-negotiables because they may not be tools you use every day, but you know they’re in your back pocket when you need them.”

It’s helpful to know what’s in your emotional emergency toolkit before the holidays start so that you’re not left scrambling when you’re overstimulated, overwhelmed, and need them most. Some great options are EFT tapping (you can find quick videos on YouTube), mindful breathing exercises, and giving yourself a massage (this is especially nice after a bath).

It’s also helpful to know who is in your toolkit. What friend can you go to to vent without judgment? Is your therapist available for last-minute appointments or via text? Sometimes you just need space to speak freely and be heard!

5. Make a holiday budget.

Another thing that can feel stressful during the holidays is the need to buy and consume more and more. There are non-stop sales, gifting occasions, and decorations you feel pressured to buy. You can help minimize the spending urge and manage your finances by making a holiday budget. It may not be sexy, but it can seriously take the stress off you while giving you an idea of how much wiggle room you actually have. While this tip might sound more on the side of mental wellbeing, remember that stress impacts our physical health. Staying calm is essential for feeling good in your body.

“You can help minimize the spending urge and manage your finances by making a holiday budget.”

It doesn’t need to be fancy or complicated! You can make your budget with a simple Google Doc. Write down your travel expenses, gifts you need to get, and things you’ve been waiting for holiday sales to buy. You can also make a little wish list and see if your budget allows for any fun extras! 

The holidays can feel like a stretch financially and they can also create a lot of waste. You can help minimize that and keep your expenses low by opting for eco-friendly and DIY decorations.

6. Be gentle with yourself.

The most important thing to remember this holiday season is to be gentle with yourself. If you get triggered by family members — it’s okay. If you feel stuffed after a holiday dinner — it’s okay. If you get a little feisty and frustrated with an airport employee — it’s okay. You’re human and it’s normal to get stressed, especially during the holidays. Remember the tools you have available to bring you back to your center and above all — be gentle with yourself and everyone else as well!

“It’s okay. You’re human and it’s normal to get stressed, especially during the holidays.”

So whether you’re with family, friends, or flying solo this holiday season, the tools above are simple ways to make everything feel a little more manageable and pleasurable, too.

Do you have tips on how to remain grounded in your body during busy seasons? Drop your best tips in the comments! We’d love to hear your strategies.

Natasha Weiss is a Pacific Northwest-based health and wellness copywriter and full-spectrum doula. When she’s not typing away, she loves immersing herself in bodies of water, wandering through ancient forests, and anything and everything to do with food. You can learn more about her work on natashaweiss.com or connect on Instagram.