The festive season is meant to be joyful, but between the cooking, the present buying, the visits to fit in and the deadlines to clear before time off, it can quietly tip into one of the most stressful times of year. A little planning and a few simple mindfulness techniques can make a real difference — helping you stay present, keep your cool, and actually enjoy the season with the people you love.
Here are five simple ways to bring more calm into your festive season.
#1. Plan in Advance
Leaving everything to the last minute can be overwhelming. So once December kicks in, get out your pen and paper (or your notes app) and start making lists. Everything from grocery shopping to gift buying is easier to manage when it’s broken down with realistic timelines.
Here are some other things that help with planning and organisation:
- Put all important dates into your calendar and share the ones that need sharing with your partner — work deadlines, social events, kids’ events and all.
- Book babysitters in advance for nights out.
- Divide the gift buying between you and your partner where possible.
- Get the more complex, time-consuming tasks out of the way first.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help from loved ones during the holidays, whether you need to talk something through or just need a hand with your to-do list.
- Wrap as you go instead of facing a huge pile on Christmas Eve.
- Make sure you have plenty of batteries on hand for all the toys and gadgets.
Recommended Reading: 10 Make Ahead Christmas Recipes to Save You Tons of Time
#2. Keep Your Routine
If you have a regular exercise routine or a meditation practice you keep up year-round, don’t be tempted to treat December as a cheat month. There are two good reasons for this:
- With December being such a busy month, you’ll need that release valve more than ever.
- Getting back into healthy habits in the new year is much easier if you haven’t dropped them completely for weeks.
Block off regular time to exercise or meditate — it’s one of the simplest ways to look after yourself through the busy weeks ahead.
Recommended Reading: 10 Quick Ways for Busy Parents to Reclaim Some Me-Time
#3. Practice Breathing, Meditation and Mindfulness
Mindfulness is all about living in the moment, and that’s worth remembering — and practising — at Christmas.
It can be tough going when the whole family is cooped up together, but you’re making memories that will last a lifetime, so try to enjoy them. The time will go quicker than you think.
If things get too much, step outside and breathe some fresh air.
If you’re new to mindfulness, this talk with Dr Paula Martin is a good place to start. If you’d like guided breathing or meditation without joining a class, the Headspace app is worth a look — it takes just 10 minutes a day.
#4. Use S.T.O.P.
Things don’t always go to plan, and you may find yourself in a stressful spot — like the back of the grocery queue with dinner guests due in an hour. In moments like this, the STOP exercise can help bring you back to the present and calm yourself down.
- Stop: Pause for a moment before you say or do anything impulsive.
- Take a breath: Take three deep breaths and count to five.
- Observe: Take a step back in your mind — and, if it helps you focus, take a physical step back too.
- Perspective: Take a critical look at the situation. See it from the other person’s point of view if someone else is involved, then focus on something positive from your day, or something you’re looking forward to, before continuing on.
Recommended Reading: Look After Yourself for the Kids’ Sake
#5. Remember to Enjoy!
The most important piece of advice we can give you for Christmas is: remember to enjoy it.
The festive season is a chance to catch up with family and friends and wind down from the stresses that have built up over the year. Try to include at least three small things that are just for you over the holidays. They don’t have to cost much — a walk somewhere you love, a spa treat, or an evening in front of the TV with a takeaway and a boxset all count.
If things start to feel like too much, use the S.T.O.P. technique, and keep going with your mindfulness practice. It’s there for exactly these moments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mindfulness, and how does it help at Christmas?
Mindfulness simply means paying attention to the present moment rather than getting swept up in worry about what’s next on the list. At Christmas, with so much going on, it helps you notice and enjoy the good moments rather than rushing straight past them.
I don’t have time to meditate over the holidays — is there a quick option?
Yes. You don’t need a long practice to benefit. A few deep breaths, a short walk outside, or the STOP technique above can all be done in a couple of minutes and still make a difference.
What’s the STOP technique?
STOP stands for Stop, Take a breath, Observe, and Perspective. It’s a short exercise you can use in any stressful moment — from a busy shopping queue to a full house on Christmas morning — to help you pause and respond calmly instead of reacting.
How can I stop the festive season from feeling overwhelming?
Planning ahead is the biggest help — sharing tasks, booking babysitters early, and getting complex jobs done first. Alongside that, keeping up your usual exercise or meditation routine and building in small moments just for yourself can keep stress manageable.
Related Articles
- 10 Make Ahead Christmas Recipes to Save You Tons of Time
- 10 Quick Ways for Busy Parents to Reclaim Some Me-Time
- Look After Yourself for the Kids’ Sake
Over to you now — do you have a mindfulness technique that helps you get through the festive season? Share it with us in the comments below.
Looking for more ways to make the season easier on yourself? Browse our family life section for more practical ideas, or save this article to come back to when things get hectic.
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