How a Yoga Routine Can Help You Stay Calm During the Holidays

The holiday season is fast approaching, and while it's a joyful time, it can also be one of the most stressful periods of the year. From managing family gatherings to shopping and balancing work, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But what if there were a simple way to stay calm, grounded, and present during all the holiday chaos? Enter: yoga. And even better—having a consistent yoga routine!

As we gear up for the holidays, I’m excited to invite you to my 3-Week Yoga Challenge designed to help you build a calming and sustainable routine. Practicing just three times a week, for 10 minutes per session, is all you need to start feeling the benefits. Here’s why it matters, and how yoga can help.

Why Routine is the Ultimate Stress Buster

First things first, why does having a routine matter, especially around the holidays? According to Dr. Steve Orma, a clinical psychologist specializing in stress and anxiety, routines help create a sense of structure and predictability, which can significantly reduce stress. When life gets chaotic, routines provide stability. A structured workout or yoga schedule can ensure you take time for yourself, helping to ground you when everything else feels out of control​

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In addition to providing structure, a routine reduces what’s called “decision fatigue.” The more decisions you have to make throughout the day, the more overwhelmed your brain becomes. Having a set time for your yoga or workout practice eliminates the decision-making process, allowing you to stick with it consistently and benefit from that predictability.

When you make time for yourself, even for just 10 minutes a day, it’s easier to handle external stressors. This is particularly important during the holidays, when stress levels tend to spike. Establishing a routine now—before the craziness hits—will help you manage the season with more ease and calm.

How Yoga Combats Stress Physically and Mentally

So, why yoga? We know that all exercise can reduce stress, but yoga takes this a step further by combining physical movement with mindfulness and breathwork.

1. Activation of the Parasympathetic Nervous System: Yoga is unique in its ability to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, the part of our nervous system that helps calm the body down. Deep breathing techniques used in yoga—such as pranayama—stimulate this “rest and digest” system, reducing the body’s production of cortisol (the stress hormone). This creates a calming effect that persists even after the practice is over​
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2. Mindfulness and Emotional Regulation: Yoga encourages you to focus on the present moment through mindful movement. Research published by the National Institutes of Health suggests that yoga enhances emotional regulation by improving self-awareness and reducing anxiety. This is critical during the holidays, a time when our emotions can run high due to family interactions and other stressors​
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3. Improved Sleep and Relaxation: Regular yoga practice, even for short durations, has been shown to improve sleep quality by reducing insomnia and promoting deeper relaxation. This is vital for the holiday season when sleep can often be disrupted by busy schedules and stress​
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Creating a Consistent Yoga Routine for Maximum Benefits

Consistency is key. While one yoga session will feel good in the moment, it’s the routine practice that truly yields long-term benefits. That's why I’ve designed the 3-Week Yoga Challenge to be easy, accessible, and sustainable. Each 10-minute session will include a mix of gentle stretches, breathwork, and mindful movements—perfect for all levels.

Here’s why committing to a short, consistent yoga schedule can have a powerful impact on your stress levels:

• Short, Daily Practices Are More Effective: Studies show that practicing for shorter periods regularly is more beneficial for reducing stress than occasional long sessions​
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  . Just 10 minutes of yoga can trigger relaxation responses in the body, making it easier to manage stress throughout the day.
• Accountability and Progress: Following a set schedule helps create accountability. Each session builds upon the last, leading to noticeable progress—not just in your physical strength and flexibility, but in your mental and emotional resilience.
• Creating a Positive Habit: Forming a routine around yoga helps make it a habit that sticks. Research shows that habits are most easily formed when they are performed regularly within the same context, such as a set time each morning​
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  . By committing to a routine before the holiday season, you’re setting yourself up for success both now and in the future.

Join the 3-Week Yoga Challenge!

Starting in early November, we’ll be practicing yoga together three times a week—on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays—for just 10 minutes. The best part? The sessions are delivered directly to your inbox via YouTube, making it as easy as rolling out your mat and hitting play.

You can click here to join us!

This challenge will not only help you feel calm and centered as Thanksgiving approaches but also serve as a foundation for maintaining that peace throughout the holiday season. Imagine walking into Thanksgiving dinner feeling balanced, in control, and fully present. That’s what a consistent yoga routine can do for you.

Let’s make this holiday season the calmest, most joyful one yet. Join me for the challenge, and let’s build a routine that nurtures both your body and mind.

See you on the mat!

May your coffee and your pelvic floor be strong today,
Paula