As women our roles take on many titles. Mother, wife, daughter, girlfriend, teacher, cook, employer, housekeeper…you get what I am saying. Often these titles all describe just one of us. If you are one of these women and you find yourself in the last week of the Holidays, you may be feeling pressure of all of these rolls at once.

Here are some helpful hints to keep your sanity during the countdown to the New Year!

1. Count to ten! Also known as meditation.

If you find yourself ready to scream in traffic (or at the kids or your boss) slowly count to ten while breathing in and out of your nose. Connecting the breath to your body will relax your mind. I guarantee it!

2. Sing! Also known as chanting! Holiday music can soothe the soul. Repeating soothing words also known as mantras or calming sounds like with singing helps us to get in touch with our life force and will balance our world in a time where we may feel quite unbalanced.

3. Volunteer! Also known as Karma! Give a little of your time without expectation of a reward. Put together some extras from your pantry and drop if off at a church or food bank to help those in need during the season. Giving will help you to realize all that you have and the selfless action will take the emphasis off of your “list� of chores for a while.

4. Dance! Also known as energy! While that Holiday music is playing, get up and dance. Activate the chakras in your body by loosening up and awakening your inner energy, releasing blockages and creating positive vibrations through the whole body. Plus you will be burning a few calories and can enjoy more Holiday sweets!

5. Rest! Also known as relaxation! Play dead, literally. Lie down on a mat or blanket, let your entire body relax. Close your eyes, listen to your breath. Listen to the noises around you and then let them go. Let the thoughts of your mind enter and then release them. Try to spend just five minutes (longer if you can) within your own body. The effects will last into the New Year and beyond!

As women and humans in general, we tend to be hard on ourselves and when busy times like the Holidays arrive, where we are giving to all of those around us, we feel guilty for stepping out of our fitness, yoga or relaxation routine. The good news is that by practicing the hints above you are doing more good than you may realize.

As a yoga teacher I have learned that the principles of yoga are often simplified and the benefits far outreach the physical effects practiced in the classroom or studio. For example, by performing the rituals above you are in fact performing the essential practices of Hatha Yoga.

Beyond the physical practice of poses, or asanas, practiced in yoga these techniques teach us to relax and release physical limitations which automatically help us release our mental limitations and blockages. So by singing and dancing and breathing, we are practicing the essential practices of yoga and our mental and physical fitness just takes on a new look for a couple of weeks!

Happy Holidays!