The holidays are here, filled with festive cheer, delicious treats, and plenty of opportunities to connect with loved ones. But let’s be honest: it’s also a season that can leave us feeling frazzled and exhausted. A study conducted in 2015 showed that sixty-two per cent of respondents described their stress level as “very or somewhat” elevated during the holidays, while only 10 per cent reported no stress during the season. (1) Between shopping, cooking, decorating, and attending countless gatherings, it’s easy to forget to prioritise your own well-being. That’s where mindfulness and wellness practices come into play.
This year, give yourself the gift of a mindful Christmas. By slowing down, staying present, and incorporating simple yet powerful wellness practices, you can make this holiday season more joyful and meaningful. And to take it up a notch? Add DIRTEA’s functional mushrooms—like Chaga, Reishi, Lion’s Mane, Tremella and others—to your self-care rituals for a holiday season that nurtures your mind, body, and soul.
Let’s explore some fun, actionable ways to integrate wellness into your festivities and how DIRTEA can support you.
1. Start Your Day With a Moment of Calm (and a Cup of DIRTEA)
The mornings during the holiday season can be chaotic—think gift wrapping, last-minute grocery runs, or preparing for a family get-together. Starting your day with mindfulness can help set a positive tone.
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Mindful Morning Ritual: Begin each day with a few minutes of deep breathing or journaling. Reflect on what you're grateful for this holiday season.
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DIRTEA Boost: Pair this quiet time with a warm cup of DIRTEA Chaga Powder. Known for its adaptogenic properties, Chaga supports energy, and with the added vitamin B12, it supports energy metabolism, the feelings of tiredness and fatigue and strengthens immunity. It is ideal for all-day natural energy. Also, try the DIRTEA Matcha for a natural calm energy throughout the day. It is fortified with a B vitamin complex, including B6, B12, Biotin, and Pantothenic Acid, to support the psychological function of the nervous system and boost energy levels —perfect for busy holiday mornings.
2. Transform Holiday Stress into Serenity with Meditation
The holidays often bring as much stress as they do joy. Between navigating crowded malls and dealing with family dynamics, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. A daily meditation practice can help you stay grounded and calm.
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Mindfulness Practice: Dedicate 10 minutes to meditation each day. Focus on your breath, or use a guided meditation app to stay present.
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DIRTEA Support: Enhance your meditation sessions with DIRTEA Reishi. Known as the "mushroom of immortality," Reishi promotes relaxation and supports better sleep, which is ideal for those hectic December days.
Imagine sitting in a cosy corner with a warm mug of Reishi tea and candles flickering nearby as you let go of holiday stress and embrace inner peace.
3. Get Creative in the Kitchen with Functional Mushrooms
The holidays are a time to indulge, but who says indulgence can’t be healthy? Incorporating DIRTEA’s functional mushrooms into your festive recipes is a fun way to stay nourished while still enjoying holiday flavours.
Here are some delicious ideas:
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Chaga Hot Chocolate: Combine your favourite hot chocolate mix or DIRTEA cacao with Chaga powder for a guilt-free, immune-boosting treat. Top with dairy-free whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra holiday magic.
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Lion’s Mane Energy Balls: Blend oats, dates, almond butter, cocoa powder, and Lion’s Mane powder to create energy balls that fuel your day while supporting focus and clarity.
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Relaxing Reishi Latte: Add Reishi and coconut sugar to a mug. Pour hot water and use an electric whisk to avoid clumps and blend well. Add steamed or frothed milk and drizzle with honey. Sprinkle coconut sugar or cinnamon on top for garnish.
Cooking with functional mushrooms is an easy way to keep wellness at the forefront without sacrificing the joy of festive flavours. If you need more recipe ideas, click here.
4. Stay Active with Festive Movement
When life gets busy, exercise is often the first thing to go. But staying active doesn’t have to mean hitting the gym—it can be as simple as incorporating movement into your holiday traditions.
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Holiday Walks: Bundle up and go for a walk with family or friends to admire holiday lights and decorations.
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Dancing: Turn on your favourite holiday playlist and have a dance party in your living room.
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Yoga for Stress Relief: Dedicate 15 minutes to yoga or stretching in the morning to release tension and stress. A study (2) suggests that regular yoga practice, particularly mindfulness-based practices, can lead to decreased amygdala activation in response to stress-inducing stimuli.
Sip on DIRTEA Cordyceps tea or Gummies before your workout for an added boost. Cordyceps are known for enhancing energy and endurance, making them the perfect partner for your holiday fitness routine.
5. Practice Gratitude During Gift-Giving
Gift-giving is one of the most exciting parts of the holidays, but it can also feel overwhelming and materialistic at times. This year, make it more meaningful by practising gratitude and mindfulness.
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Mindful Gifting: Focus on thoughtful, sustainable gifts that encourage wellness. DIRTEA’s gifting box sets and mushroom powders make for wonderful presents, allowing your loved ones to explore the benefits of functional mushrooms in their own lives.
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Gratitude Notes: Pair each gift with a handwritten note expressing why you’re thankful for the recipient. This simple act of kindness can make any present feel more special.
By focusing on the intention behind your gifts, you can turn holiday shopping into an act of mindfulness.
6. Prioritise Rest and Recovery
If you're not careful, the holiday hustle can lead to burnout. Taking time to rest and recharge is essential for your overall well-being.
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Create a Cosy Evening Routine: Wind down with a calming ritual after a busy day. Light a candle, put on your favourite holiday movie, and sip on DIRTEA Cacao to help you relax.
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Unplug From Screens: Dedicate an hour before bed to being screen-free. Instead, read a book or enjoy quiet time with loved ones.
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Get Quality Sleep: Reishi’s calming properties also support better sleep, ensuring you wake up refreshed and ready to enjoy the festivities.
7. Connect with Loved Ones in a Mindful Way
The holidays are all about connection, but meaningful interactions can sometimes get lost in the chaos. This year, focus on being fully present with the people you care about.
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Put Away Distractions: During meals or gatherings, keep phones and other distractions out of sight. Engage in real conversations and savour the moment.
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Mindful Traditions: Create new traditions that emphasise connection, such as baking together, writing holiday cards as a family, or volunteering for a cause you care about.
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DIRTEA Sharing: Introduce your loved ones to the world of functional mushrooms. Share a pot of DIRTEA Matcha or Cacao tea during a cosy chat, or gift them a wellness bundle to start their own mindful journey.
8. Take Breaks and Set Boundaries
It’s tempting to say “yes” to every holiday invitation, but overcommitting can lead to stress and exhaustion. This year, give yourself permission to set boundaries and take breaks.
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Say No Without Guilt: If an event or task feels like too much, it’s okay to decline. Prioritise your mental health.
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Schedule “Me Time”: Block out time in your calendar for activities that recharge you, whether it’s reading, crafting, or simply relaxing with a cup of tea.
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DIRTEA for Balance: During these moments of rest, sip on DIRTEA Lion’s Mane Tea. This brain-boosting mushroom supports mental clarity and focus, helping you easily navigate the season.
9. Reflect and Set Intentions for the New Year
As the year approaches, take time to reflect on the past 12 months and set mindful intentions for the year ahead.
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Reflection Practice: Write down your accomplishments, lessons learned, and what you’re most grateful for this year.
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Intention-Setting: Think about how you want to feel in the new year. Focus on intentions that align with your values and well-being.
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DIRTEA Ritual: Enjoy a cup of your favourite DIRTEA mushroom tea as you reflect. The act of preparing and sipping your tea can become a symbolic ritual for letting go of the old and welcoming the new.
A Mindful Christmas, Powered by DIRTEA
This holiday season, choose to slow down, embrace mindfulness, and prioritise wellness. Whether you start your day with a calming cup of DIRTEA Chaga, boost your energy with Cordyceps, or unwind with Reishi, DIRTEA’s functional mushrooms are here to support you every step of the way.
By integrating these wellness practices into your holiday routine, you’ll create a season that’s not only joyful but also nourishing for your mind, body, and spirit. So go ahead—sip, savour, and celebrate a mindful Christmas this year. You deserve it.
References
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Harvard Medical School. (N.D) Holiday stress and the brain. Available at: https://hms.harvard.edu/news-events/publications-archive/brain/holiday-stress-brain (Accessed: 29 November 2024)
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Khajuria, A., Kumar, A., Joshi, D., & Kumaran, S. S. (2023). Reducing stress with yoga: A systematic review based on multimodal biosignals. International Journal of Yoga, 16(3), 156–170. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijoy.ijoy_218_23