5 Mental Health Mantras That Help Me Maintain Balance During The Holiday Season

It's easy to spend this season so stressed that you end up abandoning your health goals, with the intention to start over in the new year. But who says the holidays need to involve gluttonous bingeing or heightened anxiety? It's time to reclaim the holidays for your health.

When your mind is centered, you may find yourself not even wanting to reach for those sweets. Or, if you do have a dessert, you may find yourself filled with less guilt and stress-related physical symptoms.

Repeat each of these mantras aloud (or in your mind) whenever you need it, and for five to 15 minutes while sitting quietly in the morning and/or evening. They will help cleanse your body, mind, and spirit of negativity. Each mantra is based on a particular area of the body that can become inflamed and imbalanced, especially during the holidays. Focus on one or all, depending on what you need individually:

An overload of sugar and processed foods can take a toll on our systems. Repeat this mantra whenever you are feeling overloaded—food- or stress-wise.

Can someone say sugar high? The holidays are filled with opportunities to overindulge in sweets. Even though this has to do with blood sugar, repeating it to yourself may just help you feel more balanced in all areas of your life.

Brain fog can be a not so fun side effect of too much unhealthy food and stress. This mantra can help refocus your thoughts toward your positive health goals.

Inflammatory, gut-irritating foods abound during the holidays, and stress certainly can do a number on your gut, as well. Repeating this mantra to yourself is an encouraging reminder that you are in control of your health journey. Ultimately, you know what is right for your health. These words will encourage you to listen to your body and what it's trying to tell you.

Lean into these mantras this holiday season, and remember: Health is a constant journey and one that is meant to be enjoyable, no matter the season.