5 Ways to Find Your Holiday Zen

Quick answer: Holiday zen is a state of calm you can create even during the year's most stressful weeks. Five practical ways to find it: keep your daily to-do list realistic, write things down, unplug at least an hour before bed, schedule genuine "me time," and meditate—even five minutes of slow breathing calms the nervous system.

We all know the holidays can be stressful, and it's a given that our levels of anxiety usually skyrocket come the end of November. Spending money, seeing family, traveling, planning parties, and fitting all that into your regular life can leave us frazzled, frustrated, and exhausted. We mustn't forget to take care of ourselves amid the holiday frenzy—here are five simple things you can incorporate into your daily routine to make room for some peace of mind as the end of the year approaches.

How do I keep my holiday to-do list from overwhelming me?

Be realistic: prioritize no more than 3 to 4 tasks that truly need to be done that day, and leave the rest at the bottom of the list.

If you've only got a few hours after work to get fifteen errands done, tell yourself you'll make time for the last few items the next day—and rid yourself of guilt for not getting it all done ASAP. Focus on what you did complete, reorganize the following day's tasks to accommodate what's left, and drop anything that doesn't need to happen pre-holidays for when you have more time and energy.

Why does writing things down reduce holiday stress?

Because allocating your to-do's onto paper stops your mind from churning the same information over and over—which keeps you organized and reduces anxiety.

Every morning, make a short list of the errands to run, people to email, or groceries to buy. Carry a small notebook or post-its, or jot notes in your phone, checking items off as you go. It helps to do this at night too, for the following morning—so you're not up all night anxiously rehearsing what needs to be done the next day.

Why should I "turn off" before bed?

Because our brains take a while to re-wire into peaceful mode after a stressful day—so unplugging at least an hour before bed helps your mind calm itself faster.

Make your task list for the next day, wrap up anything involving your phone or laptop, and then fully unplug. Scrolling can seem relaxing, but the information overload continues to jolt the brain awake. Try reading a book, journaling, or listening to gentle music instead.

How do I find time for myself during the holidays?

Make an extra effort to clear room in your schedule for "me time"—an activity you 100% enjoy that doesn't circle around anyone else's expectations or needs.

Most holiday stress comes from the expectations of others: getting the right gift, making an appearance at a friend's party, traveling to see your folks. Good me-time options include booking a massage, going for a solo run, or just sitting on your patio with a cup of coffee, undisturbed. Me time puts fuel in your gas tank, making you more capable of handling stressors in a level-headed way.

Does meditation really help with holiday stress?

Yes—meditation works, especially for immediate relief from stress, and even a few minutes produces calming effects.

Find a place to sit quietly, close your eyes, and begin to slow the breath, following your inhales and exhales as they move in and out of the nose. When a thought comes up, simply acknowledge it by mentally saying "Thought," then bring the focus back to the breath. Try to make the in and out breaths equal in length. Deeper breathing calms the nervous system and lowers your heart rate—breathing is the most effective, intrinsic tool we have for calming anxiety, and we always have access to it. If anxiety runs high for you beyond the season, anxiety counseling can help you build on these skills.

Finding your holiday zen

This time of year is stressful no matter how organized you are—but our reactions are what form our experience of whether something is stressful or not. Breathe often, act calmly, and think big picture. The presents and plans aren't really what matter; once the wrapping paper is torn away and the decor is boxed up, our good and loving actions will be remembered much longer than even the best material gifts.

Getting started. If holiday stress lingers into the new year—or feels bigger than a busy season—our mindfulness therapy team in Austin can help you build lasting calm.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I need to meditate to feel less stressed?

Even a few minutes helps. Whether it's five minutes or a full hour, slowing and deepening the breath begins calming the nervous system and lowering your heart rate almost right away.

How many tasks should I put on my daily holiday to-do list?

No more than 3 to 4 priority tasks that truly need to be done that day. Move the rest to the bottom of the list and reschedule them without guilt.

Why is screen time before bed a problem during stressful weeks?

Scrolling seems relaxing, but the information overload keeps jolting your brain awake. Unplug at least an hour before bed and try reading, journaling, or gentle music instead.

Get started with a therapist at Austin Mindfulness Center—in person in Austin or online across Texas.