10 Ways to Stay Mindful at Holiday Gatherings

Holidays can be filled with stressful situations from a long to-do list to impossible expectations, financial stress to a ton of socializing. Mindfulness can help us ground ourselves in the present moment and find moments of wonder and joy or relief and release. A few ways to ring mindfulness to holiday gatherings are offered below.

1. See the Beauty - Look around and really take in the beautiful lights or decorations.

   
   

2. Listen - What do your hear? Music? Bells? Laughter?

   
   

3. Feel - Touch the bough of a Christmas tree or an ornament. What does it feel like?

   
   

4. Taste - The peppermint of a candy cane, the sweetness of a cookie.

   
   

5. Smell - Stop and take in the scents that permeate the air: pine, peppermint, something delicious cooking.

   
   

6. Breathe - Feeling overwhelmed? Take a deep breath in for four counts and exhale for eight. Do this three times.

   
   

7. Choose Kindness - Help someone else by showing kindness.

   
   

8. Connection - Stop and make a connection through conversation or even a quick hello.

   
   

9. Be Real, Not Perfect - Sto and remember that the holiday is not a competition if you don’t make it one.

   
   

10. Express Gratitude - Be grateful for the basics: food, shelter, clothing and express your gratitude to the important people in your life.