1. Go Analog

The holidays are typically one time of year most families and friends carve time to spend with one another, says Ashley René Casey, a digital wellness educator and founder of Presence Over Pixels, which teaches people how to set tech boundaries and reclaim meaningful connections.

To make the most of this quality time, she suggests going analog and playing a board game, putting together a puzzle, getting some fresh winter air with an outdoor walk, or baking some cookies together.

“Stillness doesn't have to mean silence,” she says. “Stillness doesn't have to mean solitude. Stillness today can simply mean disconnecting.”

2. Log Off

Winter is when nature quiets itself to rest—so should we, Casey points out.

Set time during the holidays to log off of your devices and take in the sights and sounds around you, Casey says, whether that’s enjoying the holiday lights while on a walk or appreciating the stillness of winter.

“This time of year is inherently hectic,” she says. “Our devices can contribute to that chaos with incessant notifications, constant advertisements, and comparison with others.”

Do yourself a favor and make time for just you, without digital distraction. If you have people over for a gathering, invite them to log off too, she says.

3. Travel With Calm in Mind

Whether you’re traveling to reconnect with friends or family members over the holidays or heading out on a winter getaway, make time to pause, unplug, and find moments of calm during the busiest season of the year.

Explore restorative spa treatments, solo well-being experiences, and relaxation-focused amenities when you’re traveling.

For example, guests can enjoy guided intention-setting and transformative breathwork exercises led by renowned facilitator and teacher JP Crimm at Riverhouse Lodge in Bend, Oregon, where guest rooms come with views of the Deschutes River.

At Chaminade Resort & Spa in Santa Cruz, California, travelers can unwind with a hot lava-shell massage and take a self-guided forest-therapy walk through the surrounding redwoods. And at Chatham Bars Inn on Cape Cod, a quiet moment might mean a spa treatment, yoga or meditation class, reading by the fire with a cocktail from the antique bar, or a peaceful stroll along the private beach to breathe in the salty Atlantic air.

At other hotels, like Costa d’Este Beach Resort & Spa in Vero Beach, Florida, you can find other thoughtful touches like digital detox amenities such as in-room "phone sleeping bags," a calming aromatherapy turndown service and earplugs for better rest.

4. Build in a Buffer on Travel Days

When it comes to traveling during the holidays, build in time for delays and consider adding in some buffer days to give yourself more time to decompress, says Hagains.

Make sure to pack items that are nurturing to your soul and help with self-care, she suggests. A good book, downloaded podcasts or calming music, and, for the plane, healthy snacks, and a water bottle.

5. Enjoy Small Rituals

Creating calm doesn’t have to require elaborate planning, and it can be found in small moments throughout your day, Plake says.

It can look like quiet coffee before the house wakes up, a walk after dinner, or sitting with family without screens or small talk, just breathing together.

“These small rituals anchor us in presence,” she says.

A final thought: Plake often tells clients to think of the holiday season like a snow globe.

“Everything may be swirling around you: Plans, people, emotions,” Plake says. “But if you stay grounded, you can find calm in the center, watching the beauty unfold rather than being swept up in the storm.”

Explore more destinations across the Benchmark Resorts & Hotels portfolio, a collection of distinct, independent properties by Pyramid Global Hospitality. Located in diverse destinations across the globe, Benchmark’s resorts and hotels reimagine immersive travel, inspiring guests to create memories born from meaningful exploration, authentic moments, and innovative experiences – no matter the occasion. Benchmark guests can earn complimentary gift cards, on-property perks, and destination experiences through the collection’s signature Mosaic Rewards program.