Four Holistic Tips to Reduce Holiday Stress and Bring More Joy to Your Season
The holiday season is here—a time for connection, joy, and celebration. But it’s no secret that the festive season can also bring added stress. From gift-giving to gatherings, there are countless demands on our time, energy, and resources. At Ivy+Light, we want to encourage and empower you to embrace the holiday spirit, while nurturing your peace of mind. So here are four holistic tips to help you reduce holiday stress and find more balance and joy throughout the season.
1. Identify Your Holiday Stress Triggers
Everyone has unique holiday stressors, and recognizing yours is the first step to creating a peaceful season. Perhaps it’s the pressure of gift shopping, organizing gatherings, or managing social events. Maybe it’s the thought of cooking for others or simply absorbing the stress from those around you. Take a moment to tune into what specifically triggers you—when you know your triggers, you can proactively support yourself through them.
Once you’ve identified your stress points, prepare tools to ease those situations. For instance:
If cleaning before guests arrive feels overwhelming, try setting boundaries or asking for help. A quick stress relief ritual with a grounding crystal, like Smoky Quartz, or a calming essential oil blend can also help you release the worry.
If food brings stress, either through preparing meals or managing indulgences, embrace mindful practices that let you enjoy the experience without overwhelm. Carry your favorite soothing crystal or essential oil blend to help balance your energy, and try repeating this energy reclaiming mantra.
2. Keep Your Healing Tools Close
Make it a habit to bring your stress-relief essentials with you during the holidays. Your tools can be your favorite crystals, essential oils, affirmation cards, or anything else that helps you reconnect to your calm.
Our favorite ways to stay prepared include:
Crystal jewelry: Wearing crystals that promotes a sense of calm, protection, and peace. a few of my personal favorites are our Energy Protection, Peace and Joy, and Throat Chakra Necklaces.
Essential oils: Keep a small bag of your favorites for quick relief. Essential Oils like Lavender, Bergamot, or Stress Away blend, can work wonders.
Affirmations: Write a few empowering affirmations that remind you of your peace. A simple, “I am calm and present in this moment” can be very effective, especially when paired with a calming crystal or oil.
Keeping these items with you lets you reach for your “calm toolkit” whenever you need a breather.
3. Reconnect with Your Reason for the Season
In the rush of the holidays, it’s easy to get caught up in societal expectations. To help cut through the noise, clarify what the holiday season truly means to you. Whether it’s spending time with loved ones, expressing gratitude, or focusing on spiritual reflection, reconnecting with your personal “reason for the season” will help you release unnecessary stress.
When you know your reason, remind yourself of it often—perhaps as a written affirmation or a daily journal entry. Here are a few affirmation ideas:
“This season, I am filled with gratitude and love.”
“My holiday is focused on joy, connection, and peace.”
“I am free to celebrate in ways that are meaningful to me.”
Carrying this intention with you can help you stay rooted in what matters, making it easier to let go of the things that don’t serve your vision of a joyful holiday.
4. Begin Your Day with a Grounding Ritual
Starting your day with a grounding practice can set the tone for a peaceful, purposeful day. This small but powerful act aligns your mind and heart, helping you stay centered no matter what the day brings.
Consider including one or more of these practices in your morning routine:
Gratitude journaling: Write down three things you’re grateful for each morning.
Manifesting intentions: Visualize what you want to create in your day and set an intention to guide you.
Meditation or prayer: Just a few minutes can provide clarity and peace.
Affirmations: Starting with a positive affirmation can help anchor your mindset.
Whatever brings you back to yourself, begin your day with it. For myself, this looks like a few moments with my favorite crystals, a gratitude practice, or simply breathing deeply with a calming essential oil.
Embrace a Peaceful, Joyful Holiday Season
As you step into the holiday season, remember that your peace matters. By taking a few simple steps to support yourself, you can navigate holiday stress with grace and presence. From grounding with crystals and essential oils to carrying a meaningful affirmation, these tools empower you to create a holiday filled with love, joy, and calm.
From all of us at Ivy+Light, we’re wishing you a season that’s as peaceful and magical as you are!
Ps. Want more help focusing on Gratitude vs. Stress?
In this video I shared my 5 favorite Essential Oils for Gratitude and a simple exercise to help you release frustration in the midst of the holiday chaos.
What are your favorite ways to manage stress, naturally? Share with me in the comments!
