A Holiday Wellness Tip: Stay Grounded and Joyful (Without Losing Your Mind)
Ah, the holidays. That magical time of year when twinkling lights and cozy traditions mix with the stress of figuring out how to fit 20 relatives (and their ideas/ opinions) into your living room. Throw in a last-minute gift hunt and your husband’s annual turkey critique, and you’ve got a recipe for pure holiday crazy!
But here’s the thing: it doesn’t have to be all chaos. Staying calm, connected, and just a little bit sane is totally possible—if you’ve got a simple strategy up your sleeve. Enter my light-hearted secret weapon for holiday sanity: The One Thing Rule.
What’s the One Thing Rule?
Every day during the holiday season, take 5-10 minutes to ask yourself:
"What’s one thing I can do today to nurture my mind, body, or spirit?"
The goal isn’t to add to your already overflowing plate (unless it’s with pavlova or that really great cheese dip Nanny Sue always makes). It’s about making a small, meaningful choice to centre yourself. For example:
Mind: Enjoy your coffee before responding to your 17th group chat about whether you need to buy more serviettes.
Body: Stretch before you pull down that box of Christmas dinner ware that only sees the light of day once every 2 years.
Spirit: Take a quiet walk after dinner (yes, sneaking out counts!) or watch a favorite holiday movie guilt-free with the youngest relatives.
A Holiday Anecdote
I’ll never forget the year I learned the true power of "one thing." It was Christmas Eve, and I had grand plans. The table was set, the playlist was on point, and I was attempting (keyword: attempting) to bake gingerbread from scratch while overseeing a wrapping-paper disaster zone that the kids were creating as they ‘helped’ with last minute gifts.
Then it happened. The timer dinged, I grabbed the tray, and my gingerbread looked like charcoal briquettes. To top it off, the dog knocked over the bottle of wine I’d opened for later, the kids were arguing about what Christmas movie to watch, and I realised I’d forgotten to buy the potatoes.
I felt the panic rising, but then I remembered: just do one thing. I left the mess, grabbed a blanket, and stepped outside for five minutes. Breathing in the crisp air (I was in Melbourne at this point in my life), I let myself soak in the quiet for a moment. And you know what? The potatoes got fetched (by my responsive and retail happy husband), the kids laughed but decided to eat the black gingerbread anyway, and everyone still had a wonderful evening together.
Why This Works
Life, especially at Christmas, can feel like a juggling act with flaming ornaments. But pausing to focus on one nurturing act—even if it’s just sipping a cool drink in silence—grounds you. Research shows that small acts of mindfulness reduce stress and help you respond to challenges with more calm and clarity.
The truth is, when you’re taking care of yourself, everything else feels just a little more manageable. You might even laugh when the dog decides now would be a good time to play with the cat as it attempts to climb the Christmas tree.
Tying It Back to Balance
Balance doesn’t come from perfection—it comes from these small, intentional moments of care. Whether it’s through programs like The Nurtured Life Project or everyday tips like the One Thing Rule, the key is making your well-being a priority. After all, you deserve to feel as nurtured as the love and energy you pour into the season and those around you.
So, what’s your "one thing" today? And remember, it’s okay if it’s as simple as hiding in the bathroom for five minutes with a candy cane. (Pro tip: the minty aroma adds to the spa vibe.)
Happy Christmas everyone. Let’s keep the joy high and the stress low—and maybe stick to store-bought gingerbread this year.