12/31/2025
We are supporters of Pinellas County 4-H and youth development.
They shared a great reminder for practicing mindfulness.
The holidays are a time of joy—but let’s be real, they can bring plenty of stress and anxiety, too. One of the greatest gifts adults can give young people is showing them healthy ways to manage these emotions! By practicing positive coping skills this holiday season, you aren’t just taking care of yourself—you’re teaching the next generation how to navigate their own stress, now and in the future.
Want a quick and effective tool you or your kids can use to calm your nerves? Try a mindfulness countdown!
Move to a quiet place, step outside, or go on a short walk. While you’re there, take a deep breath and name…
❄5 things you can see
❄4 things you can feel
❄3 things you can hear
❄2 things you can smell
❄1 thing you can taste.
Take another deep breath and then return to what you were doing…or not.
This easy activity can pull us out of spiraling thoughts and return us to the present moment by focusing our attention on sensory details. It can help activate our parasympathetic nervous system and take us out of “fight or flight” mode.
By intentionally making space for simple pauses like this—and letting young people see you do it—you’re helping your family learn to handle stress in ways that support growth and well-being, during the holidays and beyond.
What are some other mindfulness tools you use to manage stress and anxiety? Let us know inf the comments!
