Back to Home Woman in a festive holiday sweater resting among wrapped gifts, looking overwhelmed and tired—representing holiday stress and the need for quick calm and mindfulness.

Woman in a festive holiday sweater resting among wrapped gifts, looking overwhelmed and tired—representing holiday stress and the need for quick calm and mindfulness.

Holiday Hustle Hack: How to Find Calm in Just 60 Seconds

Published by Rachel Beland

December 01, 2025

2 min read

The holidays are full of cheer—but they can also feel like a whirlwind of travel, crowded calendars, family dynamics, and last-minute deadlines.

If you’ve been searching for simple holiday stress tips that actually help, a quick body scan can go a long way.

When life speeds up, it’s easy for tension to build without you noticing. That’s why a 60-second stress relief practice can make a noticeable difference in how you feel.

Try This 60-Second Mini Body Scan

This micro practice blends mindfulness for stress with gentle body awareness, and it can be done from anywhere—sitting in your car, standing in line at the post office, or even while waiting for the kettle to boil:

1. Start at the top of your head.
Notice any tension around your forehead, jaw, or eyes.

2. Bring your awareness to your shoulders.
Drop them away from your ears and let your chest soften.

3. Scan down through your arms and hands.
Unclench the fists. Release any gripping.

4. Move to your stomach and hips.
Loosen your belly. Relax through the pelvis.

5. Finish at your legs and feet.
Feel them grounding you. Let the muscles melt.

As you move through each area, take one slow inhale and one slow exhale before shifting to the next. It’s one of the easiest holiday wellness hacks you can keep on standby.

Why This Mindfulness Practice Works

When you scan your body, you’re giving your mind a signal to slow down. This simple awareness taps into the parasympathetic nervous system—the part responsible for rest and recovery. As it switches on, your breath evens out, tension drops, and your brain becomes better at regulating mood and concentration.[1]

One Minute Is Enough

You don’t need a full meditation session to feel more centered. In just 60 seconds, you can interrupt rising tension, reconnect with your body, and give yourself a tiny moment of ease in the middle of holiday chaos.

Keep this quick calm hack handy—you might be surprised how much lighter your day feels!

Woman relaxing in a cozy cabin bedroom, reading in warm winter clothes—showcasing holiday wellness, calm moments, and stress relief through quiet mindfulness.

Seasonal Support From Pattern Wellness

And if you’re looking for more steady support, Pattern Wellness can help you stay centered through the season.

Use code BLOG10 for 10% off calming essentials like Ashwagandha for stress support and Magnesium for relaxation—simple, soothing additions to your daily calm moments.

Resources:

Blaine Ditto, Marie Eclache, Natalie Goldman, Short-term autonomic and cardiovascular effects of mindfulness body scan meditation, Annals of Behavioral Medicine, Volume 32, Issue 3, December 2006, Pages 227–234, https://doi.org/10.1207/s15324796abm3203_9