Holidays are fun and exciting for children, but often the added obligations, gift shopping, and travel can be stressful for parents. With a few practical tips, busy moms and dads can deck the halls with more joy this season.

1. Conscious choices for thoughts and words.  When there’s not enough time for the holiday “must-do’s,” reciting a mantra offers a powerful way to re-train the subconscious mind to work in support of itself. When overwhelm rears its head, “There is enough time to do everything that’s important” can be said out loud and repeated anytime the schedule feels shorter than the to-do list.
2. Breathe to decompress. When there’s stress, the nervous system revs up, making hearts race, blood pressure soar and breath quicken. To get back to center, an Uneven Breath, which emphasizes the exhalation, can calm the nervous system. This is done by taking a pause, sitting down and closing the eyes. After an inhale to a slow count of four, there is an exhale to a slow count of six. Repeating this cycle five times offers a reset.
3. Take a time out. Time away from stressful activities is good for parents and kids alike. Regular parent time-outs reduce stress and resentment, making room for more patience and compassion. This holiday season, plan ahead for a sitter so there’s time for a hot bath, a walk in the park or a long, uninterrupted read of a favorite book.

Keya Williams is a Yoga Lifestyle Consultant who teaches busy moms how to use yoga to juggle life and kids without burning out. Learn her 3-step system to create a more peaceful mom life in her free video. Visit Nourished-Motherhood.com/video.