The Calm Before the Holidays: How to Ground Your Mind & Body

If your holiday to-do list is already longer than Santa’s, it might be time to pause before you spiral.

We get it — between travel plans, gift wrapping, and trying to figure out which relative is bringing the mystery casserole, “self-care” tends to slip to the bottom of the list. But here’s the truth: grounding your mind and body before the holiday chaos isn’t indulgent — it’s essential.

Before the turkey timer starts beeping, try pressing pause. Here are a few simple, real-life self-care rituals that can help you slow down, reset, and move through the holidays feeling present, centered, and a little less frazzled.

1. Give yourself permission to pause

Before you launch into the season of giving, remember that giving yourself space to breathe is what makes you more available for everyone else. Take a walk. Sit and enjoy your morning coffee. Let yourself just be for five minutes.

Outline your goals for the holiday, and find the joy in saying no to things that don’t align. If it's quality time with your kids, maybe the neighbors' cocktail party is a no for the JOMO.  

2. Relax with a restorative bath

A warm, quiet bath is one of the fastest ways to calm your nervous system and reset your energy. Add a scoop of Free Living Co. Bath Additives — formulated with clean, non-toxic ingredients that support relaxation and mental clarity.

Pro tip: put your phone on airplane mode. The group chat can wait.

3. Use scent to reset your space and your mind

Ever notice how walking into a room that smells like pine, vanilla, or fresh herbs can instantly shift your mood? Our brains are wired to respond to scent, and a little intentional aroma can be surprisingly grounding during the holiday whirlwind.

Choose Clean, Non-Toxic Scents: Many conventional candles and diffusers contain synthetic fragrances or chemicals that can be irritating. Stick to natural soy or beeswax candles and pure essential oils for a safer, more pleasant experience.

Here are the candles and essential oil diffusers we love! 

4. Start (or end) the day with a gratitude reset

When you feel frazzled, take a few moments to calm, reset, and focus on the positive things you are grateful for - even if it's as simple as “I’m grateful for the fact my in-laws only visit once a year”.  

The Takeaway

Create small, intentional moments for yourself: light a candle, diffuse your favorite essential oil, write a few mindful reflections, or enjoy a quiet, warm bath.

The holidays will always bring a little chaos. But when your mind is calm and your body is grounded, you move through it differently — more joy, less overwhelm.