Anchor Your Breath: Keeping Calm Amidst Holiday Chaos cover art

Anchor Your Breath: Keeping Calm Amidst Holiday Chaos

Anchor Your Breath: Keeping Calm Amidst Holiday Chaos

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 Hey there, I'm Julia Cartwright, and I'm so glad you're here with me today. Welcome back to Mindful Parenting: Daily Tips for Raising Calm Kids. You know, if you're listening on December twenty-fourth, there's a pretty good chance your house is somewhere between magical chaos and gentle pandemonium right now. The kids are buzzing with anticipation, the day feels like it's moving at two speeds simultaneously, and you're probably wondering how to keep everyone—including yourself—grounded through it all. So today, we're going to practice something I call the Anchor Breath, because when everything around us is spinning, we need something solid to hold onto.

Let's settle in together. Find yourself a comfortable seat, somewhere you can pause for just a few minutes. Maybe it's a kitchen chair, the edge of a bed, or even the floor with your back against the wall. You don't need perfection here; you just need presence. Go ahead and close your eyes if that feels right for you.

Now, start by noticing your breath without changing it. Just observe it like you're watching clouds drift across a sky. In and out. Simple. Natural. Let yourself feel the cool air as it enters through your nostrils, and the warm air as it leaves. There's no performance happening here—just you, breathing, exactly as you are.

Here's where the magic happens. I want you to imagine that each exhale is like releasing tiny tension packets into the air. With every breath out, you're letting go of the rushing, the worry, the endless to-do list. And with every breath in, you're drawing in calm, clarity, and presence. Think of it like the difference between a knotted rope and one that's been gently smoothed out. That's what's happening inside your nervous system right now.

As you continue breathing, notice how your shoulders feel. Are they tight? Let them drop just a little. Notice your jaw. Soften it. And your belly—let it be soft. There's no need to hold yourself together so tightly. You're safe right now, in this moment.

Breathe this way for the next few minutes. Whenever your mind drifts—and it will, because that's what minds do—just gently guide it back to your breath. That's the entire practice. Breath in, tension out. Breath in, calm returns.

When you step back into your day, carry this anchor with you. During the hectic moments, come back to this breathing. It takes thirty seconds. Your kids will notice when you're calmer, and calm is contagious.

Thank you so much for spending this time with me. Please subscribe to Mindful Parenting: Daily Tips for Raising Calm Kids so you never miss an episode. You've got this.

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