Turn Holiday Stress into Inner Peace
The holidays are a magical time of year, but let’s be honest—they can also be downright exhausting. Between jam-packed schedules, family expectations, and end-of-year work deadlines, it’s easy to feel more frazzled than festive.
As a Reiki Master Teacher and someone who has supported countless entrepreneurs through the ups and downs of life and business, I know this struggle all too well. I used to view the holidays as a time to "do it all," from running my business to making picture-perfect memories. It wasn’t until I learned to embrace energy healing and intentional self-care that I truly discovered the joy of the season—and I want the same for you.
In this article, I’ll share simple, effective practices to help you move from holiday stress to inner peace. Whether you're a solo entrepreneur juggling business and personal commitments or just someone who wants to feel more balanced, these tools will recharge your energy and help you shine brightly into the new year.
Understanding Holiday Stress: Why the Holidays Feel So Overwhelming
The holidays have a way of amplifying everything—both the good and the challenging. On the one hand, there’s joy in connecting with loved ones and reflecting on the year. On the other, there’s pressure:
Pressure to meet work deadlines before year-end.
Pressure to meet family expectations (hello, Aunt Karen’s relentless questions about your life choices).
Pressure to keep up with holiday traditions, even when you’re running on empty.
From an energy healing perspective, this stress isn’t just mental—it affects your entire energetic field. When you’re constantly in "go mode," your energy can become scattered, leaving you feeling drained and disconnected from your inner peace.
Simple Practices to Recharge and Recenter
1. Ground Yourself with Reiki Energy
One of my go-to techniques during the holidays is a grounding Reiki practice. Here’s a simple way to try it:
Find a quiet spot where you won’t be interrupted. Sit or stand comfortably.
Close your eyes and take three deep breaths, inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth.
Visualize roots extending from the soles of your feet, reaching deep into the earth. As you breathe, imagine earth energy rising up through these roots, filling your body with a calming, nurturing warmth.
This technique is a lifesaver when you’re feeling scattered. I often use it before stressful meetings, events, or holiday dinners where tensions often run high. It helps me stay calm and present through it all.
2. Tap Away Stress with EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique)
EFT, or tapping, is another powerful tool for releasing stress. By tapping on specific acupressure points while focusing on your feelings, you can calm your nervous system and restore balance.
How to Try It:
Start by identifying what’s causing your stress (e.g., “I’m overwhelmed by everything I have to do this week”).
Use your fingertips to gently tap on these points in sequence:
The side of your hand (karate chop point).
The top of your head.
Your eyebrow (inner edge).
The side of your eye.
Under your eye.
Under your nose.
Your chin.
Your collarbone.
As you tap, repeat a phrase like: “Even though I’m feeling overwhelmed, I deeply and completely love and accept myself.”
This technique has worked wonders for me during busy times. Last year, when I was scrambling to finish client projects, a quick tapping session helped me shift from overwhelm to clarity in just a few minutes.
3. Mindful Breathing to Reset Your Energy
When stress hits, your breath can be your best friend. Mindful breathing helps calm your nervous system and bring you back to the present moment.
Try the “4-7-8 Breath” Technique:
Inhale through your nose for a count of 4.
Hold your breath for a count of 7.
Exhale slowly through your mouth for a count of 8.
Repeat this cycle three to five times whenever you feel stressed.
This simple practice is my secret weapon for keeping calm during the holiday season. I once used it in a parking lot after circling for 20 minutes to find a spot—it came in handy!
4. Rewire Holiday Triggers with NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming)
NLP techniques can help you shift your mindset around holiday stressors. One effective strategy is reframing: changing how you perceive a situation to feel more empowered.
For example:
Instead of thinking, “I have to host dinner, and it’s so stressful,” reframe it as, “I get to create a space for connection and joy.”
Instead of dreading interactions with difficult family members, remind yourself, “I can set boundaries and protect my peace.”
Practicing these mindset shifts regularly can help you approach the holidays with a greater sense of control and positivity.
How to Use NLP to Reframe Holiday Stress
Reframing is about changing the way you view a situation to make it feel more manageable, positive, or empowering. Think of it like putting a different “frame” around a picture: the picture doesn’t change, but the way you see it does.
Why It Works:
Your brain processes experiences based on how you interpret them. By choosing a different interpretation, you can change your emotional response—and create a sense of calm instead of stress.
Step-by-Step Guide to Reframing with NLP
1. Identify a Stressful Situation
Start by pinpointing something that’s bothering you. For example:
“I’m overwhelmed by all the holiday prep.”
“I dread spending time with my overly critical family.”
2. Notice How It Makes You Feel
Ask yourself:
How does this situation make me feel? (e.g., stressed, frustrated, or anxious).
What thoughts are amplifying these feelings? (e.g., “I’ll never get it all done,” or “They’ll judge me again.”).
3. Challenge the Thought
Look for another perspective. Ask:
Is this thought 100% true?
Is there a way to see this differently?
4. Examples:
Original Thought: “I’m overwhelmed by all the holiday prep.”
Reframe: “I can focus on just one thing at a time. I don’t have to do it all today.”
Original Thought: “I dread spending time with my overly critical family.”
Reframe: “I can set boundaries and choose how much I engage. Their opinions don’t define me.”
5. Use Empowering Language
The words you use shape how you feel. Replace negative or disempowering phrases with ones that give you a sense of control.
Instead of “I have to do this,” say “I choose to do this.”
Instead of “This is too much,” say “I’ll take this one step at a time.”
6. Anchor the Reframe with a Deep Breath
Once you’ve found a more empowering way to view the situation, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and let the new thought settle in. Imagine it replacing the old, stressful thought.
Practice Makes Perfect
If reframing doesn’t feel natural right away, don’t worry. It’s like building a muscle—the more you practice, the easier it becomes. Start small by reframing one holiday stressor at a time. Over time, you’ll find yourself naturally choosing more empowering perspectives in all areas of life.
5. Energy Clearing Ritual with Crystals
Crystals are excellent allies for clearing negative energy and boosting your mood. During the holidays, I like to use shungite for protection and rose quartz for emotional harmony.
Quick Energy Clearing Practice:
Hold your chosen crystal in your dominant hand.
Close your eyes and visualize a white light surrounding you, washing away any negativity or stress.
Imagine this light filling your entire energy field, leaving you feeling refreshed and grounded.
You can carry these crystals in your pocket or place them around your workspace for added support.
6. Prioritize Self-Care and Boundaries
Self-care isn’t a luxury during the holidays—it’s essential. One of the best gifts you can give yourself is permission to say no.
Practical Tips:
Write down three non-negotiables for the season (e.g., “I will take a 15-minute walk every day,” “I won’t over commit to events”).
Schedule downtime into your calendar just like you would a meeting or appointment.
One year, I decided to skip a holiday party to stay home and watch movies with my partner instead. At first, I felt guilty, but it turned out to be the most restorative evening—and it reminded me that saying no can sometimes be the kindest choice.
Integrating Peace into Your Business and Life
Aligning Your Business with Holiday Ease
For wellness entrepreneurs, the holidays can feel like a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s a busy season for clients seeking support. On the other, it’s easy to burn out trying to keep up with everything.
Tips for Holiday Success:
Automate your social media posts using tools like Later or Buffer.
Batch-create content early in the season so you can focus on rest later.
Offer a holiday-themed freebie (like a guided meditation) to engage your audience and grow your email list.
Recharge for the New Year
By embracing these practices, you’re not just surviving the holidays—you’re setting yourself up for a peaceful and productive start to the new year. Taking time to recharge your energy now will help you approach January with clarity, creativity, and purpose.
From Stress to Inner Peace
The holidays don’t have to be a time of overwhelm. With simple practices like grounding, tapping, mindful breathing, and energy clearing, you can transform stress into serenity.
Your well-being is your greatest gift—to yourself, your loved ones, and your clients. By prioritizing your inner peace, you’re not only making the holidays more enjoyable—you’re creating a ripple effect of positivity and light in the world around you.
So, take a deep breath, let go of perfection, and embrace the beauty of this season with an open heart and a peaceful spirit. You’ve got this!
Embrace a Stress-Free Holiday with Holistic Practices
The holiday season doesn’t have to feel like a whirlwind of chaos. By incorporating simple, effective energy-healing techniques like Reiki, EFT, and NLP reframing, you can shift from stress to inner peace with ease. These practices don’t just calm your mind—they create lasting benefits for your well-being, allowing you to:
Feel more present: Enjoy the small, magical moments of the holidays instead of rushing through them.
Strengthen connections: Approach gatherings with a grounded, positive mindset that deepens your relationships.
Stay energized: Maintain your mental and physical vitality by releasing tension and balancing your energy.
Build resilience: Develop tools to handle challenges with grace, creating a ripple effect of calm in your life.
Remember, the holidays are about joy, connection, and renewal. With these holistic practices in your toolkit, you can reclaim the season as a time of peace and empowerment. If you’re ready to dive deeper, consider downloading my free “Holiday Peace Planner” to help you stay balanced and stress-free throughout the season.
