When life gives you 2020, tap into your mindfulness practice to bring magic to the holiday season.

As we head toward a very different holiday compared to years past, we can reclaim the peace and joy of the season through mindfulness—one of the most powerful tools we have in the face of life's twists and turns. With practice, we learn to work with our circumstance exactly as it is, and it's from this grounded place of openness, that we can discover the beauty and possibility that lives in the moment.

Here are three steps to mindfully meet the holidays this year (feel free to repeat as often as needed):

Acknowledge

It's okay if you’re experiencing some hard feelings about all of the changes you've been navigating. Make space to honor any emotions that have been stirred up within and explore ways to process what you're feeling. Talk to a friend, listen to sad songs, stomp your feet, or scream into the wind. Notice how your feelings shift when you attend to them. The aim is to express your emotions so that you can let them go.

Open

Once you've acknowledged your feelings, don't get stuck in what could've, would've, or should've been. Instead, look around and imagine what you might do with the people you can see, the places you can go, and the resources you have. Here are a few ideas from the Calm team to get your creative juices flowing:

Savor slow and quiet mornings with time for meditation, coffee, and watching the sky.
Awaken joy within by making someone else's day better.
Go for a walk and seek out the beauty that surrounds you. Keep looking until you find something.
Write a letter to a friend reflecting on what makes them wonderful. If possible, read it out loud to them on a video call.
Try something new: a recipe, a local adventure, or an online dance class.

Focus

Now that you've opened your mind to new possibilities, focus your energy on making your holidays meaningful. Notice if you get distracted by negativity and gently bring yourself back to what's possible in the now. If you're struggling to stay present, try bringing your attention to something that pleases your senses. Here are some more ideas from the Calm team:

Watch the slow dance of a candle flame.
Wear your softest sweater.
Listen to music that soothes and settles your busy mind.
Sip hot chocolate.
Simmer cinnamon sticks and orange peels on the stove.

May you discover the magic that lives in the moment.

Calm your mind. Change your life.

Mental health is hard. Getting support doesn't have to be. The Calm app puts the tools to feel better in your back pocket, with personalized content to manage stress and anxiety, get better sleep, and feel more present in your life.

Mindful holidays