Try this meditation to relieve holiday stress. The idea is to let go of everything... just for one, sweet moment. And by everything I mean: people, to-do lists, parties, responsibilities, expectations, anything and everything that comes with the holiday season.

All you need is a couple of minutes.

This is a meditation that I kind of just fell into. It's been a time of transition in my own life with a LOT of changes happening all at once. (Why is that always how it goes?)

By the way, even when your changes are positive, they can still be overwhelming.

So I laid down my yoga mat and unrolled myself into savasana pose. And I decided I needed a break from everything. And I took two tiny minutes to mentally drop one thing, one to-do, one attachment at a time.

And it felt. So. Good.

Then I thought, this is how the season *can* be: it's meant to be a time of joy, of connection and gratitude and celebration. But it can be stressful too. And stress steals from joy.

This meditation is a two-minute break from everything you've got going on. One you're allowed to take, and one that'll end up giving you more energy to do what you have to do -- without feeling bogged down.

Remember: you don't need to get everything done all at once, even though it seems like you do. You can do one thing at a time.

Yes, you can.

An Easy Meditation to Relieve Holiday Stress + Find More Joy in the Season

1. Get into a comfortable position. I recommend lying down on a yoga mat or cushioned surface so you can totally relax. You don't have to close your eyes, but I find it's easier to do this with your eyes closed.

2. Take a few deep breaths. Let your breathing be steady and easy before you continue.

3. In your mind's eye, bring up one person you're attached to in any way. It could be a family member, friend, coworker, acquaintance, a stranger you saw today, anyone at all. See them, and then mentally let them go. Release them. This isn't negative or positive -- it's just a moment to yourself, by yourself.

4. Do this with every person, every face that pops into your mind. One at a time, let these people drift away from you. You might sense yourself becoming a little lighter.

5. Now do this same thing with everything that's on your agenda: every to-do, chore, and responsibility. One at a time, they fall away from your life and you're left lighter by their leaving.

6. What have you been expecting from this season, from other people, from yourself? Let each expectation go, one by one.

7. Imagine yourself getting lighter and lighter each time someone or something leaves your experience. Maybe you imagine yourself floating into the sky, above everything else. You might feel a tingling sensation.

8. You can stay here for however long you want. When you're ready to get up, take one more long deep breath. On your exhale, imagine sending away any last lingering attachment. Open your eyes.

9. Speak a positive affirmation to yourself to reinforce your experience, and your freedom to live this season the way YOU want to live it.

Check out my affirmation prints for ideas.

Here are a few other ideas for what to say to yourself at the end of this practice:

• I am enough... (here's the art print)
• I can do one thing at a time.
• This is MY life. This is my LIFE.

. . .

Tell me:

What could you do/think/say to get through the holidays with more joy?

Tell me in the comments. I'd love to know what helps!

~ Jen