By: Lauren Napierkowski
It’s that time of year again - when your calendar is packed tighter than your holiday shopping cart, and you’ve got more commitments than you can account for. The season is in full swing, and between the endless party invites, family gatherings, and consistent Instagram stories showing all of the perfect charcuterie boards, it’s easy to feel like you’re drowning in festive stress.
But what if I told you that practicing mindfulness could be your secret weapon to surviving (and dare I say thriving) the holiday season? It’s time to stop letting New Year’s resolution stress hijack your vibe and start showing up as your most zen self. Here are some mindfulness tips to help you stay calm, cool, and collected - no matter how many matching PJs your mom insists on buying for the family this year!
Savor The Season
Suppose you’re anything like me, aka the typical Gen Z young adult female. In that case, your social media feed is probably flooded with perfectly curated images of couples ice skating, aesthetic gingerbread houses, Nara Smith cooking tutorials, and people who seem to be on a perpetual “hot coca date”. But let’s keep it 100: those aesthetic moments are often filtered (literally). Mindfulness isn’t about comparing your behind-the-scenes to someone else’s highlight reel.
Instead of scrolling through a sea of Pinterest boards that make you feel inadequate, take a moment to remind yourself that real life is messy, and oftentimes a roller coaster. So breathe. Take a mental break. Put the phone down and do something that makes you genuinely feel good - whether watching a random Netflix doc or binge-watching old seasons of Love Island. This holiday season, keep your vibe high and your expectations of perfection low.
Gratitude Is Greater Than Guilt
Let’s talk about that holiday guilt. The kind that just creeps in when deciding whether you should get your aunt that artisanal soy candle or just send a Venmo payment that says “Merry Christmas,” with a smiley face emoji.
Mindfulness isn’t just about being present; it’s about showing gratitude for what you already have. Instead of stressing over your gift list or worrying that you’re not “doing enough” take a minute to appreciate what’s right in front of you. Grateful for the (questionable) pasta dish you made because cooking is hard? Celebrate the fact that you whipped up a dish in the first place. Grateful for the wonky wrapping paper job you did on some presents because gift wrapping is complex. Take pride in the fact that you were able to try making some sort of wrapping. Small moments of gratitude like this are just as sweet as the symphony of jingle bells during this chaotic holiday season.
The Gift of Presence
The holidays don’t need to be a 24/7 hustle. Period. We’re all just trying to make the season Insta-Worthy, but what if I told you the real magic happens when you slow down and be fully present?
You don’t have to race to make everything perfect. If you’re running from one Zoom work meeting to a dinner reservation to a mall trip, your mind is working overtime and your body is probably screaming for a nap. This is the perfect time to engage in mindful breathing - yes, I’m talking about those deep inhales and exhales that could be mistaken for a TikTok “how to breathe” tutorial. But, hear me out: it works. You’re still allowed to show up for the season, but do it in a way that’s intentional and doesn’t leave you drained by the New Year.
Try it: the next time you feel like the to-do list is chasing you down like a Netflix series you can’t stop, pause, inhale for 5 seconds, hold for 5 seconds, and exhale for 5 seconds. Repeat. You’ll feel immeasurably better, and release all of those Grinch energies into the ether.
Setting Boundaries: Not Just The Holiday Dinner Table
Ah, the family dynamic: where love meets chaos, and somehow, you end up explaining to your 85-year-old grandma how to use a filter on FaceTime.
Here’s a tip from the mindfulness playbook: choose your company wisely. You can’t force a connection, and if your cousin has a history of turning every dinner into a TED talk on why you’re “doing life wrong,” maybe skip that dinner and hang out with people who protect your peace the most.
We all have those moments when we feel more connected to our friends than our family. Mindfulness means choosing peace over pleasing everyone. Your time and energy are precious, so spend them with people who make you feel heard, loved, and genuinely relaxed. And if that means skipping the awkward “family walk” on Thanksgiving for a night of quiet reading and takeout, so be it. You’ll have more to give when you’re well-rested and emotionally intact.
R&R, Reflect to Relax
And finally, as we approach the end of the year, don’t forget to take a moment to reflect on everything that’s happened. Mindfulness isn’t just for the holiday chaos - it’s also about slowing down enough to appreciate the growth you’ve experienced, the lessons you’ve learned, and yes, the messy moments that made it all worthwhile.
Reflecting on the highs and lows of your year can be cathartic. Not as a “new year, new me” moment (because let’s face it, no one’s ever going to stick to that gym routine), but as a genuine acknowledgment of what you’ve survived and what you’re grateful for.
Take it from me: the best present you can give yourself this holiday season is a little bit of space to reflect, breathe, and just be. No rush, no pressure. Just you and your thoughts, taking it easy.
Sleigh Your Mindfulness Game
The holidays can feel like a full-on marathon, but with a few mindful tweaks, you can show up as your best, most chill self. So, take a deep breath, find your balance, and remember: the season is about joy, not perfection. Whether sipping mulled wine with friends or chilling solo in your cozy bed rot corner, make time for moments that keep you grounded. And if all else fails, remember that being mindful sometimes means saying yes to that extra slice of holiday pie.
Comments