I’ll never forget the first time I took my son to England for a family Christmas. I was jet-lagged and freezing, and you know how tough winter can be for someone from a warmer climate! Instead of letting it get to me or stressing about my endless to-do list, I got out of my cosy bed. After a few gentle stretches, I closed my eyes and thought of three things I was thankful for.

Just that little moment made me smile and lifted my spirits, helping the rest of my day go so much smoother. 

Airport chaos during the holiday season is real! I remember waiting in a long immigration line with small kids—it was downright crazy! But instead of letting the stress take over, I relaxed my face, focused on my breathing, and took slow, deep breaths.

By the time I reached the immigration officer, I felt much calmer and more at ease.  

Last New Year’s Eve, a friend invited us to join in the celebrations. I could feel that fear of missing out creeping in, but I chose to say no. Instead, we whipped up a simple meal, curled up in front of the TV, and enjoyed a movie together until midnight.

It turned out to be such a peaceful and beautiful start to the New Year, just sharing that quiet moment with my family. 

Every Christmas, we make it a tradition to lay a puzzle out on the coffee table. Whenever we gather for morning or afternoon tea, we come together to work on it as a family.

It’s such a simple activity, but it really strengthens our connection and brings us joy. 

I remember one Christmas when we had just driven from London Airport to my in-laws’ house, and I was feeling completely worn out and stressed about holiday plans. Instead of staying up late worrying, I decided to say goodnight to everyone and head to bed early.

I spent five minutes doing some gentle stretches and breathing with gratitude. It worked wonders—I slept like a baby and felt so much more energised and in control the next day!