Use These 10 Affirmations to Help Combat Your Holiday Stress

Ah, holiday stress! It’s a pretty popular topic among most people this time of year. This topic makes its into casual conversations, television ads, and even yoga classes.

It’s not hard to find reasons why you experience holiday stress: your normal routine gets thrown out of whack, traveling with crowds of people becomes the norm, and traffic on your way to work gets heavier.

With Thanksgiving past and Christmas right around the corner, this time of year can be challenging.
 

Reminding yourself to stay calm and collected in the middle of the chaos tends to be much easier said than done.

 
As a yogi, you know just how important it is to stay grounded and present – not just on your mat, but throughout the whole holiday season. Of course, reminding yourself to stay calm and collected in the middle of the chaos tends to be much easier said than done.

How do you manage to remain patient and composed in the middle of angry drivers helplessly honking for the line to move faster? Or when you run out of flour, hands in the pie crust, halfway through baking your favorite pie?

In hindsight, these situations might not be too problematic, but they require both physical and mental energy to power through. Leaving you drained instead of energized!

That’s why it’s important to remind yourself that you are strong enough to conquer holiday stress. And there are holiday stress management tools at your disposal!
 
 

Use These 10 Affirmations for Some Serious Holiday Stress Management:

Below are a few affirmations that you can recite when times get tough. Feel free to write them down on post-its around your house, so you don’t forget to enjoy this time of year!
 

1. This Is Only Temporary

No matter how challenging it is to have your normal routine thrown off, remember that these moments won’t last. They’re not your new normal.

This affirmation helps you to keep in mind that the people you are surrounded by, the special conversations you’re having, the delicious food you’re eating, and the warmth of the fire will not always be there.
 

 
 

2. Your Daily Practice Is Your Strongest Practice

This is a phrase a popular YouTube yoga teacher, Sarah Beth, often shares in her videos and on Instagram. Rather than attending a 75-minute asana practice once a week, or meditating for 20 minutes every 10 days, choose to have 10 minutes of practice every day.

It doesn’t matter what it looks like. Choose to step on your mat or meditation cushion every day. It will help you keep your feet anchored to the ground.

If you usually meditate, practice asana, read, journal, or listen to music in the morning, make sure to do at least one of these activities before you go out into the world. A couple of minutes a day will help keep stress at bay!
 

3. Your Needs Are Just as Valuable as Others’

This one is pretty straight-forward, and something you might forget easily, especially as more people come into your daily life.

It’s okay to sit down to have coffee on your own before the house wakes up. It’s okay to spend extra time in the bathroom to get ready so you can have more quiet time on your own. And, yes, it’s okay to take a couple of hours to go to your usual gym class even if the whole family is visiting.

This affirmation will help you be more present instead of thinking about how frustrated, sad, or guilty you are feeling.
 

4. Stay Here, Now

Have you ever wondered why it’s so important to be present? Have you ever noticed what happens in your body when you focus on what’s happening around you?

Focusing on where you are when you’re there helps you let go of worries about the future. Pay attention to your surroundings, the colors and the smells, the noises and sounds. Stay where you are! There’s a lot to see. Embrace it all.
 

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5. Some Things Aren’t in Your Control

Remember the stressful situations mentioned at the beginning of this article? Well, none of them are in your control.

You can’t change how many people are at the supermarket, at the airport, or in traffic. Since there’s not much you can do about all the craziness, why not change your mindset?

How about laughing and making jokes about them? How about singing while you wait in traffic? You can take control of your reactions, so make sure you do!
 

6. When in Doubt, Come Back to Gratitude

While stuck in traffic, remember that you can pay for gas and you have a car to drive. In the midst of your cooking frenzy, remember you are lucky enough to not only have food on the table, but to have delicious and nutritious meals to enjoy.

When you get tired of shouting so your grandma can hear, remember that you’re lucky she’s there with you. There is so much we can be grateful for. Make it a point to come back to that feeling this holiday season.

Practice more gratitude! Check out: The Life-Altering Importance of Practicing Radical Gratitude
 

7. Don’t Just “Get It Done”

It’s very easy to get into a to-do list mindset. Whenever you can, call yourself back into the moment, stay present with the tasks at hand, observe the process, notice the beauty in it, and feel how your body reacts throughout the task and once it’s done.

Do you know what happens when you don’t pay attention? You’ll find yourself in January thinking, “Where did the holiday season go!?”
 

8. You Are Not Alone

Chances are everyone around you is experiencing the same things – a similar stress and a similar feeling of joy and happiness. We’re all human, no matter how hard we try to pretend we have it all under control.
 

 
 

9. Don’t Be Afraid to Share/Ask for Help

Being vulnerable makes the whole experience more human. It’s reassuring and heartwarming to hear that others feel the way you do.

Sharing your hardships, you also send the message to people that they, too, can share what’s difficult for them. It can be hard – especially if you’re not used to it – to tell friends and family members how stressed you are. But it’s really worth it.
 

10. Breathe

Straightforward, right? It’s interesting, though, because that’s often the thing you forget about the most.

Remind yourself to unclench your jaw, relax your tongue, maybe even lift the corners of your mouth into a smile (no matter how small). Take deep inhales and exhales when you’re frustrated. Always remember your breath is the simplest tool you can use to help ground you!
 
 

Use These Holiday Stress Management Affirmations to Enjoy This Festive Season

Remember, the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, think about these affirmations to help bring you down to earth.

Try writing your favorite affirmations down on a piece of paper and carry it around. It’s the best holiday stress management tool you can use!
 
 
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