In the midst of the holidays, stress often creeps into the day-to-day as our routines shift in favor of celebrations. Time spent with family can be the highlight of the year, although enjoyment of the festivities becomes difficult if you find yourself rushing from one gathering to the next. Make the most out of the season and try these tips to help you unwind from the constant hustle and bustle.

Remember to Sleep

Sleep is the foundation of our day; ensuring you prioritize your rest sets you up for better stress management. With the chaos of the season, holding onto your daily routine can feel impossible, but allowing yourself time to decompress before bed each night gives you a chance to recuperate. One of the best ways to do this is by utilizing the features of an adjustable base during your nightly regimen. The Wind Down® Program on our TEMPUR-Ergo® ProSmart® Base cycles through various massage and position settings designed to help you settle in before drifting off. Whether you’re catching your breath between parties or recovering at the end of the holidays, sleep plays an essential part in relaxation.

Practice Mindfulness

Grounding yourself through mindfulness exercises can keep your focus from drifting into the stress of juggling activities, allowing you to enjoy the moment. There are many videos online that offer tutorials, but if you want science-backed techniques, we recommend the Calm app. Through our partnership, you can sync curated Calm content to your TEMPUR-Ergo® ProSmart® Base using the Sleeptracker-AI® app. Enjoy guided meditations designed to help you focus on what’s important and seize the day.

Keep It Low-Key

As excitement grows, plans for the holidays can escalate further than intended, placing undue strain on everyone involved. You may be tempted to go all-out for your celebrations, but a low-key party reduces stress and frees up time to enjoy the company of your family. Plus, as an added bonus, manageable gatherings mean easier cleanup — save yourself the headache during and after by focusing on the essentials.

Lay the Prep Work

Ensuring you’re prepared for the season is helpful whether you’re hosting this year’s celebration or attending as a guest. A last-minute scramble can result in forgotten details and unnecessary pressure. Instead, arrange the groundwork by handling smaller tasks in the days leading up to the holidays — that way, you can focus on the festivities.

Ask for Help

When you’re busy entertaining others, you can easily forget that you don’t have to do everything by yourself. Ask your family and friends for help if you find yourself with too much on your plate. Whether it’s peeling potatoes for the holiday feast, wrapping gifts for loved ones, or cleaning up after a night of celebration, you can lean on the people around you for support. Best of all, it creates an opportunity for quality time as you work together.

Celebrating should be about spending time with the people you love, and that’s best enjoyed by focusing on the present. This time of year can be stressful for many, but by doing what you can to take a breath and relax before, during, and after the holiday, you can make the most of the festive season.