5 Simple Shifts for a Calmer, Happier Holiday Season
The holiday season can be a time of joy, connection, and warmth. But let’s face it – it can also be a time of stress and overwhelm, as we try to keep up with the endless to-do lists and holiday “shoulds.” Sometimes, the pressure to make everything “just right” leaves us feeling more frazzled than festive. This year, instead of aiming for perfection, why not try a few tiny shifts that can make a big difference?
Small, intentional changes can help you create a season that feels lighter, more balanced, and genuinely enjoyable. From setting daily intentions to savouring little moments, these simple shifts can help you feel grounded and at ease, even on the busiest days. Here’s how to get started.
1. Start Your Day with a “Holiday Intention”
How we start each day can set the tone for how we experience the whole season. Rather than diving straight into the holiday hustle, try beginning each morning with a quiet moment to set an intention for the day. This doesn’t need to be anything big or elaborate – just a simple feeling you want to focus on, like “peace,” “connection,” or “joy.”
How It Works
Intentions are powerful because they shift our focus from what we have to do to how we want to feel. Research on mindfulness shows that setting daily intentions can improve mood and reduce stress. By choosing a specific feeling to guide your day, you’re creating a mental framework that prioritises your well-being, not just productivity.
Try This Action Prompt
Each morning, pause and ask yourself: “What feeling do I want to cultivate today?” Write it down or simply say it out loud to yourself. For example: “Today, I want to feel calm.” Let this intention gently guide your choices and responses throughout the day..
Small Reminder
Even if things don’t go as planned, try returning to your intention. Whether it’s taking a breath or pausing for a moment of gratitude, small steps can bring you back to the feeling you want to create.
2. Create a “Pause Ritual” for When Things Feel Busy
Holidays tend to come with a natural uptick in busyness. From last-minute errands to unexpected guests, it’s easy to feel swept up in the momentum. That’s why having a go-to “pause ritual” can be such a helpful tool. When you have a simple, calming activity that you can use anytime, it becomes easier to slow down, reset, and approach each moment with more mindfulness.
How It Works
Pause rituals act like mini “time-outs” that let us step back from the chaos. Studies suggest that taking short breaks throughout the day improves mental clarity and overall well-being. Even a quick minute can help you re-centre, helping you approach each task with renewed calm and focus.
Try This Action Prompt
Choose a small ritual that feels calming to you, like a breathing exercise, stretching, or enjoying a warm drink without distractions. Whenever you feel overwhelmed, take one minute to pause and focus on this ritual.
Example Pause Rituals
- Breathe Deeply: Take three deep breaths, inhaling through your nose and exhaling slowly through your mouth.
- Savour the Warmth: Sip a cup of tea or coffee slowly, noticing the warmth, taste, and aroma.
- Look Around: Take a quick look outside or around the room, noticing something that brings you a sense of peace.
By building a pause ritual into your day, you’ll create small moments of calm that can help you manage even the busiest days.
3. Keep a Small Wins List
During the holiday rush, it’s easy to lose sight of the small things we accomplish each day. But recognising these “small wins” can create a surprising sense of achievement and joy. Keeping a daily list of even the tiniest wins can remind you of your progress and help you appreciate your efforts, no matter how big or small.
How It Works
Celebrating small achievements has been shown to boost mood and increase motivation. A small win could be something as simple as finishing a task, spending a quiet moment with a loved one, or enjoying a peaceful walk. Noticing and acknowledging these wins helps reinforce that you’re moving forward, even in small ways.
Try This Action Prompt
At the end of each day, write down one small “win” you experienced. It could be anything from a completed task to a pleasant conversation. Focus on moments that made you feel good.
Examples of Small Wins
- Enjoyed a quiet moment with a hot drink
- Finished a task you were putting off
- Took a five-minute walk outside
- Received a kind message or sent one
Reflecting on these moments at the end of the day can leave you with a sense of satisfaction and gratitude, making the holiday season feel fuller and more meaningful.
4. Embrace “Micro Moments” of Gratitude
Gratitude doesn’t need to be a grand gesture or a once-a-year Thanksgiving tradition. Instead, consider practicing gratitude in “micro moments” throughout the season. Taking a few seconds to pause and appreciate something small can help you feel grounded and connected to the present.
How It Works
Studies show that gratitude improves mental health, fostering resilience and reducing stress. Practising gratitude in small, frequent doses lets you capture the benefits without needing to set aside large chunks of time.
Try This Action Prompt
Look for one small thing each day that you’re grateful for, whether it’s a cozy blanket, a loved one’s smile, or the smell of holiday treats. Take a few seconds to pause and savour it.
Examples of Micro Moments of Gratitude
- Appreciating a beautiful sunset or holiday lights
- Enjoying the first sip of your morning coffee
- Noticing the warmth of a cozy blanket
- Pausing to listen to a favourite holiday song
These small gratitude pauses add up, helping you experience the season with a greater sense of presence and joy.
5. Let Go of One “Should” This Season
Sometimes, the stress of the holidays comes from feeling like we “should” do everything: we should host, we should bake, we should buy the perfect gifts. But holding onto these “shoulds” can make the season feel heavy. This year, try letting go of just one “should” that doesn’t feel right for you. It could be a tradition that no longer serves you, or an expectation that adds stress rather than joy.
How It Works
When we let go of unnecessary obligations, we make room for what genuinely matters. Letting go of a “should” can feel freeing, helping you create a holiday season that aligns with your true values.
Try This Action Prompt
Identify one “should” that doesn’t serve you and commit to letting it go. Think of it as a small holiday gift to yourself!
Examples of “Shoulds” to Let Go
- Hosting every gathering yourself
- Buying expensive, elaborate gifts for everyone
- Decorating every inch of your home
- Making complex holiday meals from scratch
By releasing one “should,” you’re giving yourself permission to make the holiday season simpler and more enjoyable.
A Calmer, Well-ish Holiday Season
This holiday season, tiny shifts can make a big difference. Setting daily intentions, creating small moments of calm, celebrating small wins, and practicing gratitude can help you find joy in simple ways. Letting go of just one “should” gives you the freedom to create a holiday that feels balanced and meaningful.
If you’re ready for more simple ways to create a joyful, well-ish holiday season, sign up for our free Well-ish Guide to Feeling Better this Holiday Season! It’s the perfect companion to a holiday that feels good to you.
