There are plenty of holiday festivities this time of year which are lovely and make these cold, short days go by faster, but they can also be draining. We can feel more grounded and present during the holidays if we take time between socializing to recover and fill up our cup with whichever nourishing activities we prefer. Some ideas include reading, taking a bath, cooking a warm meal, building a fire, enjoying a cup of tea, journaling, receiving acupuncture, practicing yoga, and making time to just be.

As we approach winter, the most yin and internal time of the year, it is natural to want to socialize less and go inward. Animals hibernate and plants go dormant, yet we are expected to keep up the same pace as we do all year long. Let’s challenge these norms by making adequate time to rest and take care of ourselves.

We can think of winter as hibernating with our eyes open. Let’s slow everything way down and be intentional with our actions. We can start in this moment by taking a deep breath and going into our next activity with a slower pace and more attention to the present moment.

How do you stay grounded during the busy holiday season?