Stressed This Holiday Season? 7 Easy Ways to Relax and Reset

The fastest ways to de-stress during the holidays are small ones: a few minutes of slow breathing, a walk outside, or saying no to one thing on your calendar. You don't need a retreat. You need ten minutes away from the group chat about who's bringing the sweet potatoes.

1. Try box breathing

Breathe in for four counts, hold for four, breathe out for four, hold for four. Repeat for a few minutes. You can do it in traffic, in line at the airport or hiding in your aunt's bathroom. Nobody has to know.

2. Mute the group chat

It will survive without you for an hour. So will you.

3. Go for a walk with no agenda

Leave the podcast at home if you can. Sometimes the best part of a walk is simply being out of the kitchen.

4. Say no to one thing

You're allowed to skip the third holiday party of the week. "I can't make it, but have so much fun" is a complete sentence.

5. Lower the bar on hosting

Buy the pie. Nobody has ever left Thanksgiving upset that the crust was store-bought.

6. Put something on the calendar that's just for you

A massage, a blowout, a facial, whatever makes you feel like yourself again. If planning ahead is what's stressing you out, Lately has same-day and next-day appointments around LA, so you can decide that morning.

7. Go to bed embarrassingly early

The dishes will still be there tomorrow. We checked.

Questions we get

What is the box breathing method? It's a simple breathing pattern with four equal parts: in, hold, out, hold. Most people count to four for each part.

How do I de-stress quickly at a family event? Step outside or into another room, take a few slow breaths and give yourself a few minutes before you go back in.

How do I survive Thanksgiving with my family? Have an exit time, keep one easy subject change in your back pocket and take breaks when you need them.

And if the stress feels bigger than the holidays, talking to a therapist or healthcare provider is always a good move.

Xoxo, Lately