3 Ways to Stay Grounded This Holiday Season

Meditation is not separate from life. It’s the practice of paying attention to life as it’s happening, moment by moment. Learning to actually be present with our own experience while it’s happening is one of the most powerful and life-affirming practices we have.

Life is a lot. The world is a lot. And one of the greatest gifts we can offer, to ourselves and to others, is to stay grounded and present.

As we move into the busy holiday season, I keep asking myself: Can I stay rooted in my practice and true to what I need, even as the pressure to socialize and be cheerful grows?

Here are three simple grounding practices I return to when I start to feel overwhelmed, depleted, or exhausted. Maybe they’ll support you too:

1. Practice first thing in the morning
It doesn’t need to be long or strenuous. Even five minutes of breath and intention before the day begins helps me stay grounded for whatever comes next.

2. Take micro-meditation pauses
In moments of transition - before getting out of the car, walking into my kids’ rooms, starting a meeting
Or anytime I feel irritation rising - listening to my kids screaming, reading an annoying email, you know the moments.
I pause for 30 seconds. I feel sensations in my body and notice my breath. In that presence, things are usually okay, and I remember I have the capacity to meet whatever challenges are arising.

3. Afternoon savasana
If I’m supposed to be social later and I’m already drained, I’ll take a 20-minute savasana in the afternoon. It resets my system and gives me genuine energy, not just the “push through it” kind.

Don’t believe me, try these for yourself and see how you feel.