Guide for Calming Holidays

A Guide for Calming Holidays:

The holiday season is upon us. The time of year that can see our schedules get fuller and much to tend to, and yet, many of us feel scattered, overstimulated, or depleted. Especially from how intensely transformative this testing year has truly been for all. This holiday season, it can be helpful to choose presence over perfection, stillness over hustle, and grounding over overwhelm. Here’s how to move through the season with intention, ease, and awareness.

Root Down to Rise Up

Before stepping into the flurry of festivities, take a moment to reconnect with your body. Stand with your feet on the ground, close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths. Feel the earth supporting you. As you inhale, imagine drawing up strength and clarity from the earth; as you exhale, release tension and stress. This simple practice anchors your energy and prepares you for the day ahead.

Clear the Energy

Your space and your energy are sacred. Keeping them clear allows you to move through the holidays without carrying unnecessary heaviness. Smudging with sage or palo santo can help clear stagnant energy, while a bath with sea salt can purify your energy field and calm your nervous system. Even just a few minutes of mindful clearing can make a noticeable difference in your current state.

Protect Your Energy

You may be a sensitive soul and capable of holding space for others, but your boundaries matter. Visualize a soft, protective light surrounding you, allowing in only the highest energy and influences in but keeping stress and lower energies out. Give yourself permission to say no, step back, or pause when you need to. Protecting your energy is not selfish—it’s necessary for maintaining balance and presence. With so much integrating and releasing for everyone, maintaining this anchor is needed, especially in the busier times of the year.

Move with Awareness

Your body holds wisdom. Engage with it to release tension and ground yourself. Gentle stretches, conscious movement, or a mindful walk in nature can calm your nervous system and restore energy. Even simple breathwork— like this three breath reset will help tremendously. Do this anywhere when needing a quick centering. Breathe deeply into your heart space, then breathe deeply envisioning the sun above you and finally breathe deeply down into the earth, reminding you of the connection within, the support from above and the support from below. This simple practice can help center your mind and nervous system amidst holiday busyness.

Embrace Stillness

Stillness reconnects you with the true you, your natural rhythm. Begin the day with a quiet reflection or intentional practice, stating outloud to creation and guides, “Please show me joy today, peace, love or anything I currently need to see to feel uplifted.”. At the end of the day acknowledge moments of beauty, joy, or blessings that occurred. These practices create a calm anchor for your mind and energy, helping you move through the holidays with intentionality rather than reactivity.

Nature as Medicine

The natural world has a stabilizing, healing effect on your energy. Spend time outside whenever possible, notice the textures, smells, and sounds around you, and allow the earth to restore your balance. Bringing natural elements—stones, leaves, or pinecones—into your space can also support grounding and presence. I love having pine cones or pieces of nature in my space. This brings the smells and inspirations of the season into your home, giving you moments of joy and creativity in a busy time.

Release Expectations

The holidays often come with unspoken pressures to perform, please, and perfect. Let go of perfection and embrace the beauty in what is. Your presence, attention, and care are more meaningful than any material gesture or flawless celebration. Celebrate the small, meaningful moments—shared laughter, quiet reflection, warm food, or a gentle connection with a loved one.

This holiday season, allow yourself to move with grace, breathe with ease, and be present with love. Ground your energy, protect your boundaries, and nurture your spirit. In doing so, you create a season that is not only joyful but also restorative. It’s okay to go slow this season and to not have to do it all. Your centering and wellbeing are priorities in these times.