Let’s face it: the holidays can be stressful. Sure, we all appreciate the time off to spend with loved ones and the joyful spirit  – but family time, holiday parties, travel and shopping for gifts can get overwhelming. To stay present (read: sane) during the crux of the holiday season this year, try out some of these simple yet effective tips that you can easily incorporate into this busy time of year. Wishing you a chill and joyous time from the EPIC Wolfpack!

Take self-care breaks: The holidays might not feel quite like a retreat, but you can definitely allocate some time for rejuvenation! Self-care is supposed to be simple and doable. Linger over a cup of coffee or make time for an evening Epsom salt bath. Little times of reprieve will culminate into a much calmer you throughout the season. 

Move your body: Even if you don’t stick to your normal exercise routine during the holidays, it can be a great time to mix things up while staying active! Go out for a walk or hike with the family, do a 10-minute HIIT session in between festivities, or try out a new studio while traveling. Make it fun!

Give yourself grace: You might want to give everyone in your life the perfect gifts or bake the most amazing cookies for every holiday event. But if you run out of time (or money or patience), let it go! This time of year is really about treasuring time with loved ones, so don’t get caught up in the superficial minutiae. 

Keep it simple: Holiday activities and meals do not have to be extravagant. Remember playing in the snow (or in the Texas sun) and night rides to check out Christmas lights? Try a roasted chicken or some paleo chocolate chip crackling cookies for easy-to-prepare yet festive and decadent treats!

Enjoy screen-free time: Take a few hours, a day, or even a week off your email and social media. This will help foster gratitude for all of the amazing things in your life rather than worrying about what others are doing. Plus, it’s nice to take a media fast before the new year as a sort of reset so that you can get clear on the values and goals you want to focus on. If you have the luxury of going offline for a period during the holidays, take advantage!