Happy Thanksgiving week, friends! The kids are on break from school, and I’m so excited for us to be together again and kick-start our holiday traditions. But there’s no question this time of year can be stressful. There’s decorating to be done, gifts to buy, cookies to bake… all things fun, right?!

But no matter how much you plan ahead, life just gets more chaotic around the holidays. Throw in a pandemic, and it’s enough to make you hit the eggnog early!

Every year I attempt to savor the holiday more than power through it, and these are my top tips for maintaining my sanity (or what’s left of it!), and enjoying the season!

FIVE TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR SANITY DURING THE HOLIDAYS

1. GET OUTSIDE AND MOVE.

Exercise takes a backseat when life gets busy, but it’s actually the best thing for relieving stress. It doesn’t have to be much, any kind of activity will help. Bundle up and go for a walk or hike. Even better, do it with a loved one! Taking time for each other, fresh air, and exercise… it’s a winning combination! Some of our best talks happen on hikes.

2. FORGET MULTI-TASKING.

We’re busy people with a long To Do List, but multi-tasking can actually create anxiety over your jam-packed schedule. Instead, focus on one thing at a time to help stay in the present. Mr. SP (a therapist) is always encouraging mindfulness, which usually makes me roll my eyes, but he’s definitely on to something. If I focus on the joy in the task I’m doing, I’m less likely to start stressing about the other tasks left to be done.

3. TAKE A MOMENT FOR YOURSELF.

It’s not being selfish, it’s self-preservation! Take a bath, meditate, or just sit with a glass of wine or cup of tea in a quiet room. Carve out a time just for you, so you’re better able to provide for others. I tend to wait until I’m near a boiling point to do this, but I’m always glad I took a minute to walk away and re-center!

Fleece Jacket | Leggings | Tank Top | Beanie

4. MAKE A NEW FAMILY BUCKET LIST & TRADITIONS

When the holidays first rolled around, I’ll admit I felt a little down mourning all the fun traditions, people, and events we’ll miss this year. Every year we make a family bucket list of our favorite holiday activities, so this year we’ll just have to be more creative!

Instead of me driving myself crazy trying to make this unusual holiday ‘special’ for them, we’ll decide together what we look forward to most, and focus on those. Which ultimately is just us enjoying the season together as a family. And who knows, we might find there’s new traditions we love even more.

5. FOCUS ON THE MEANING.

‘The reason for the season’ isn’t just a cliche for greeting cards, it really is what this time of year is all about. Sure… parties, food, and gifts are fun, but it’s not why we celebrate. Volunteer at a community organization, sponsor an Angel Tree family, help out in a shelter, or offer to shop for at-risk neighbors. We may be limited this year, but there’s always a way to help others, which is the true meaning of the season.

Fleece Jacket | Leggings | Tank Top | Beanie | Water Bottle

What do you do to stay calm and sane during the holidays? Getting outside and connecting with nature and family is the biggest one for me. But regardless of our best intentions, things can still get crazy and hectic.

This year has taught me to give myself a little more grace, and try to see the silver lining in these unexpected moments. Plus, there’s always next year, right!? Ha!

Shop our outdoor styles at Nordstrom, and be sure to check out their early Black Friday sales event!! Literally 1000s of styles up to 50% off in every category, including tons of discounted Zella for women, men and girls HERE. (Like Little Miss’s leggings and favorite jacket from our latest Zella Girl post!)

I’ve got my biggest gift guides of the season coming your way tomorrow, so stay tuned!

*Photos by the darling and talented Audrie Dollins. This post is created in collaboration with Nordstrom and ShopStyle, but all product selections, opinions, and grateful thinking are my own. Thank you for supporting Hi Sugarplum sponsors!*