Finding Calm in the Christmas Rush

Nourishing Your Mind, Body & Spirit This Season

As we move towards December, there's a unique energy that begins to gather around us. The lights go up, diaries fill quickly, supermarket shelves overflow with festive treats… and for many women, this time of year brings a mix of excitement, pressure, and emotional heaviness.

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You might notice old patterns resurfacing — saying yes when you're already stretched thin, feeling guilty for needing rest, losing your natural rhythm, or reaching for food and habits that don't truly feel good in your body.

This is completely normal. And it is also a gentle invitation from your inner wisdom to slow down and re-centre.

In Ayurveda, early winter is a transition between Vata's airy, fast-moving qualities and the stillness of Kapha that arrives in January/ already beginning to shift into in December. (this really will depend on the climate where you live, so listen to the signs of nature and notice how it affects your own body – this really helps to bring awareness to how connected we are to the natural world, even though it may not feel like it in our modern world).

That means right now, we are more prone to feeling scattered, overwhelmed, fatigued, or emotionally sensitive. It is the perfect time to nourish ourselves more deeply — mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Below you will find supportive practices and rituals to help you move through this season with steadiness, intention, and compassion. Think of them as soft anchors to return to whenever you feel yourself drifting into stress, pressure, or imbalance.

1. Start Your Morning from a Place of Grounded Clarity

How you begin your day shapes the energy you carry into everything else. In busy, overstimulating seasons, a grounding morning ritual is one of the most loving things you can give yourself.

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Warm Lemon Cleansing Water

A simple ritual that feels cleansing from the inside out.

Warm water and fresh lemon (or 1–2 drops therapeutic grade lemon essential oil) helps:

Awaken digestion

Support gentle liver detoxification

Hydrate the tissues

Reconnect you with your body before the day pulls you outward

Sip it slowly, almost as a meditation.

(note:- using lemon essential oil instead of fresh lemon juice will prevent erosion of tooth enamel caused by the acidity in fresh lemon. Young living has a therapeutic grade oil suitable for adding to food and drinks).

Aromatherapy to Set the Tone

Just one drop of an essential oil can shift your entire nervous system.

• Lavender for calming overstimulated energy and soothing
• Frankincense for grounding the mind
• Peppermint for mental clarity, alertness
• Cedarwood for emotional steadiness
• Patchouli for grounding
• Geranium for hormonal balance

Rub a drop between your palms, inhale deeply, and set a simple intention such as:

"May I move through today with clarity and ease."

A Moment of Stillness

Before reaching for your phone, place one hand on your heart and one on your belly.

Take 3–5 slow breaths.

Let your heart set the tone for the day, not your to-do list.

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2. Boundaries: The Medicine for December

This is often the month where women feel the most pressure — socially, emotionally, and energetically. It's easy to slip into "automatic yes", even when your body is whispering please slow down.

It's okay to:

• leave gatherings early
• choose rest over another event
• protect a quiet evening
• say no, kindly but clearly
• ask for help

You do not have to carry Christmas.

You do not have to be everything to everyone.

You do not need to apologise for honouring your energy.

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One gentle reminder:

Your wellbeing matters as much as everyone else's comfort.

3. Soothe Your Evenings with Nourishing Rituals

Evenings are when the nervous system naturally softens. Supporting this transition can improve sleep, digestion, mood, and your sense of emotional steadiness.

Castor Oil and Lemon Massage (Liver Love Ritual)

Warm a small amount of castor oil with a drop of pure lemon essential oil.

Massage gently over the liver (right side of the abdomen).

Place a warm cloth or hot water bottle over the area for up to 30 minutes.

Wonderful for:

• calming an overactive mind
• reducing irritability or frustration
• supporting the liver during heavier seasonal eating
• improving sleep quality
• soothing Pitta emotions

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Slow Down Before Bed

• dim lights
• switch off screens an hour before sleep
• stretch your body gently
• sip herbal tea
• journal out any worries or mental "loops"

Think of it as clearing emotional debris from the day.

4. Gentle Practices for Mental & Emotional Calm

December can feel mentally noisy — overstimulation, decisions, planning, expectations. These practices bring you back to your centre.

Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing)

Just 3–5 minutes creates profound balance, a sense of peace and calm. This is also a great practice to do immediately before meditation.

Benefits:

• reduces anxiety
• clears mental fog
• harmonises left and right hemispheres of the brain
• soothes Vata
• recentres emotional energy

It is a beautiful way to regulate your nervous system throughout the day.

Yoga Nidra or Guided Meditation

Yoga Nidra is deeply restorative and perfect for times of stress or overwhelm.

It helps the whole system recalibrate — physically, emotionally, energetically.

Even 10 minutes can create space, expansion and relaxation where there was tension.

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5. Reconnect with Nature to Clear the Mind

A short walk outdoors — even around the block — is medicine.

It helps:

• reduce stress hormones
• clear mental clutter
• support digestion after meals
• increase oxygen flow
• stabilise mood
• bring perspective

If you are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or emotional… nature softly reorganises the inner landscape.

Try a walk:

• first thing in the morning to set your rhythm
• after lunch to support digestion
• in the late afternoon to break up the mental rush

Let your breath deepen and your gaze soften. The world won't fall apart if you give yourself 10 quiet minutes.

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6. Nourish Your Body with Warm, Supportive Foods

Our bodies crave grounding foods at this time of year — especially when the pace is fast and the pressure is high.

Ayurveda winter nourishment includes:

• Soups and stews, with seasonal vegetables, lentils, pulses and seasonal grains such as oats, barley and rye.
• Warm grains and porridges
• Root vegetables are in season, such as carrots, parsnips, beetroot, turnips, celeriac, potatoes, swedes, radishes, leeks, kale, cabbage and brussels sprouts.
• Kitchari
• Healthy fats (ghee, olive oil, coconut)
• Cooked (gently stewed) apples or pears – try adding some warming spices such as cinnamon, cloves and a little ginger.
• Herbal teas for warmth and immunity boosting such as cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, black pepper and tulsi
• Spiced milks (turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger)

These foods, when eaten at the right time in the right way will help to stabilise Vata, balance blood sugar, and support mood and energy.

Try to avoid:

• skipping meals
• eating too fast
• relying on caffeine
• too much sugar
• cold/raw foods

It is not about restriction — it's about nourishment, inner balance and support.

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7. Return to the True Essence of the Season

Beneath the noise, the rushing, the obligations, this season invites us inward.

Towards:

• connection
• simplicity
• gratitude
• presence
• slowness
• inner light

Ask yourself gently:

• What do I truly need?
• Where can I soften?
• What can I release this month?
• How can I nourish myself more deeply?

December does not have to be a month of burnout.

It can be a month of grounding. A month of conscious choices. A month of coming home to yourself.

Photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash

Seasonal Mantra

"I choose presence, not pressure. I honour my energy. I allow calm to lead the way."

Journaling Prompts

1. What drains my energy during this season, and what supports it?
2. Where am I saying "yes" when my body is saying "no"?
3. What do I want this December to feel like?
4. What am I ready to release before the year ends?
5. How can I create more softness and space for myself?

Mini Breath & Awareness Practice (2 minutes)

Sit comfortably.

Inhale for 4… hold for 2… exhale for 6.

Repeat 6–8 rounds.

Place one hand on your heart.

Whisper internally: "I am safe. I am steady. I am here.

Herbal/Tea Support

A soothing winter blend:

ginger

cinnamon

fennel

chamomile

a slice of fresh orange peel

Supports digestion, mood, and relaxation.

Evening Letting-Go Ritual

Write down one thing from the day you are ready to release.

Fold it, place it under a candle, and let the flame represent your intention to soften and surrender it.

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Dosha-Specific Guidance for December

Vata

Vata is the dosha most sensitive to this (early winter) time of year. As the winds pick up, the temperatures drop, and the festive season becomes busier and noisier, Vata energy can easily become aggravated. You may notice yourself feeling scattered, anxious, forgetful, overstimulated, or emotionally fragile. Sleep may become lighter, digestion more irregular, and your overall sense of grounding may feel shaken. This is because Vata, governed by air and space, thrives on routine, warmth, nourishment, and steadiness — the very things December often disrupts. Supporting Vata now means creating a sense of inner sanctuary: slowing down where you can, choosing warm and comforting foods, establishing gentle daily rhythms, and surrounding yourself with softness and calm. It's a time to wrap yourself in warmth, move your body mindfully, breathe deeply, and give yourself permission to take the pressure off. When Vata is held with care, this season becomes an opportunity to reconnect with your inner stillness and clarity.

If you feel yourself feeling like this…

Focus on:

• warmth
• routine
• grounding meals and nourishment
• healthy fats and oils
• oil massage
• slow yoga and breathwork

Avoid over-scheduling and overstimulation.

Photo by Valeria Ushakova

Pitta

For Pitta types, December can stir up a very different kind of imbalance. The pressure to organise, plan, host, give, achieve, and "make it all perfect" can leave Pitta feeling overwhelmed, irritable, or emotionally heated. This fiery dosha naturally likes to take charge and get things done, but during this busy, expectation-filled season, that tendency can tip into frustration, burnout, or a sense of carrying too much responsibility. Physically, Pittas may notice tension headaches, disturbed sleep, inflammation, digestive sensitivity, or a shorter emotional fuse. Supporting Pitta now means consciously cooling the inner fire — softening self-imposed expectations, sharing responsibilities, choosing calming and cooling practices, and giving yourself moments to step back and breathe. Time in nature, gentle restorative yoga, soothing herbal teas, and heart-softening rituals all help balance Pitta's intensity. When Pitta is supported, December becomes less about perfection and more about presence, connection, and genuine joy.

If you are feeling stressed and frustration rising with the pressure of organising everything.

Support by:

• cooling herbs (mint, coriander). Drinking mint tea after meals.
• stepping back from perfectionism
• time in nature
• restorative yoga

Avoid conflict and overheating foods.

Photo by Kristina Paukshtite

Kapha

Kapha types tend to feel the seasonal shift in a slower, heavier way. As winter progresses, Kapha's natural earthiness and stability can turn into lethargy, emotional heaviness, low motivation, or a desire to withdraw. The colder, darker days may make it harder to stay energised or uplifted, and rich festive foods can contribute to sluggish digestion or a sense of stagnation. Emotionally, Kapha may feel more sensitive, nostalgic, or introspective at this time of year.

Supporting Kapha now means gently inviting movement, warmth, stimulation, and positive momentum back into the body and mind. Think brisk walks in fresh air, uplifting essential oils, invigorating self-massage, warm and spicy foods, and activities that bring joy and lightness. Small bursts of activity and regular connection with others can help shift the heaviness. When Kapha is supported, December becomes a soothing, heart-warming season — one where stability, kindness, and emotional warmth shine through.

If you are feeling heavy, unmotivated, or sluggish.

Support with:

• brisk walks
• warming spices
• uplifting, stimulating essential oils (orange, ginger, black pepper, cinnamon)
• stimulating practice

Avoid staying indoors too much or overeating.

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As you move through the coming weeks, remember that this season is not a test of endurance — it's an opportunity to return to yourself. Every small ritual, every boundary you honour, every breath you consciously take is a step toward greater balance and inner peace. You deserve to feel supported, nourished, and grounded, no matter what is happening around you. May these practices help you create a December that feels softer, more spacious, and aligned with your true energy. And whenever you begin to feel overwhelmed, come back to the simplest reminder: you are allowed to slow down, you are allowed to rest, and you are allowed to choose what truly honours your wellbeing.

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