Protecting Your Peace: Tools for Navigating Christmas Stress
I’ve been having similar conversations with a few different people recently about the challenges this time of year brings. As the Christmas lights flicker on and we’re bombarded with advertising urging us to buy the “perfect” gifts, the pressure can escalate quickly and affect our sense of calm. It’s easy to lose our anchors in the swirl of the season, feeling pulled in every direction and overwhelmed by expectations - both our own and those imposed from outside.
The Power of Simplicity in a Season of Excess
During my recent stay at a meditation centre, one of the greatest insights I gained was the value - and the discipline - of simplicity. Simplicity of being is something we’ve largely forgotten in the West. Our commercialised lives encourage us to strive endlessly for more: more possessions, more recognition, more experiences. As my teacher often says, it’s like a “bottomless bucket” ... no matter how much we pour in, it never fills.
And yet, despite knowing this on some level, we’re easily swept up by the excesses of the season. Christmas has a unique way of amplifying pressure, stress and emotional overwhelm. For many, the logistics, family expectations and intensity surrounding the holiday are enough to send anyone spiralling - and that’s before Christmas Day even arrives!
Intention: The Foundation of Inner Peace
One thing I’m coming to see is that peace doesn’t simply appear on its own. It’s certainly not something we stumble upon while standing in a crowded shop or scrolling endlessly through online wish lists. True peace requires intention. Even when the external world feels stormy, we must remember that we still have a choice.
Resistance to what is - grasping, pushing or trying to control - is where suffering begins. The goal isn’t to shut out life entirely but to cultivate the inner resources and mindfulness tools that allow us to navigate challenges without losing ourselves.
Around my home, I often keep little handwritten notes to remind me of what’s true. One on my bathroom mirror reads, “live the life in front of you.” Another says, “life is only happening now.” These gentle cues keep me grounded in the present moment. They remind me that although I can’t control the unfolding of life, I can choose how I respond.
Everyday Mindfulness: Small Moments, Big Impact
Mindfulness practices don’t need to be complicated or time-consuming and we can find ways to weave them into even the most ordinary moments. Simply observing the breath - feeling it enter and leave the nostrils - is enough to anchor us. I did just this today in a long supermarket queue. As people huffed and puffed with impatience in front of me I focused on my breathing. This is something I try to do as often as possible throughout my days because I find it releases any sense of urgency and grounds me when I find my mind caught in anxiety-inducing storylines. Mindfulness of our breath and body has a remarkable ability to bring us back to the moment. Feeling the soles of my feet is another tool I use to ground and stabilise my mind.
Why Boundaries Matter - Especially at Christmas
Boundaries are another essential part of protecting your mental wellbeing. It’s easy to pour our energy into everyone else’s needs, especially during the festive season. But without limits, our emotional resources deplete quickly.
This is why I rely on what I call my “non-negotiables” - the practices I protect fiercely because they hold me steady.
My Non-Negotiables for Protecting Peace
1. Morning and Evening Meditation
Sitting on my meditation cushion is sacred and my twice-daily meditations have bookended my days for nearly a decade. I often liken my morning meditation to a metaphorical door wedge that prevents the door of the mind swinging open and letting a draught in. And my evening meditations are like a mental shower, washing away the build-up of the day.
Having a dedicated space or tools you love makes meditation more inviting. If you’re creating your own ritual, you might enjoy exploring our handmade meditation cushions and mindful accessories.
2. Early Nights and Seasonal Rest
In winter, I’m usually tucked up in bed by 9:30 with a hot water bottle and an inspiring book. Following nature’s rhythms - resting when it’s dark and being active when it’s light - has transformed my wellbeing. Sleep is one of the most underrated forms of self-care but it supports clarity and mood hugely.
3. Time for Nothing
I’ve come to see that time and space are two of the greatest gifts we can offer ourselves. Leaving blank space in my diary, especially during the festive season, is essential for my wellbeing. Learning to say no - even to lovely invitations - is crucial. Without intentional pauses, responsibility and noise take over.
Creating Conditions for Calm
Ultimately, protecting your peace is about creating the conditions in which calm can naturally arise. It’s a blend of inner discipline, intentional simplicity and choosing practices that nourish you. Peace doesn’t come from escaping life’s storms (because the storms will always arise), rather it comes from learning to navigate them with presence. The world will always be noisy and life will always offer more to do but when we commit to small rituals, we strengthen our capacity for balance and harmony.
I hope you can find ways to honour your own “non-negotiables” this Christmas, giving yourself the time and space you need to slow down. May you enjoy what this holiday is truly about: being present with yourself and fully present with the people you love.
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