Mindfulness Advent Calendar: Self-Care For A Calm Christmas

The holiday season is a wonderful time of year filled with joy, celebration, and togetherness. However, we all know it can be quite hectic and overwhelming too, leaving us feeling stressed and drained.

This year, why not give yourself the gift of a relaxed Christmas time with our Mindfulness Advent Calendar? This beautiful design is not only a perfect gift for yourself but also for your loved ones who could use some stress relief during this festive season.

Note: This post contains some affiliate links. This means that we may earn a small commission when you click on such links, at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We only share links to products we would use ourselves and all opinions are our own. You can read the full disclaimer here.

What’s a Mindfulness Advent Calendar?

The advent calendar contains 24 easy self-care activities, each intended to take as little as 20 minutes and requiring minimal or no preparation or expense.  Give yourself permission to prioritise your own wellbeing on the Christmas countdown. 

Most of the activities are applicable throughout the whole year – no excuse for stopping come Twixmas!  We’ve just included a handful on the Christmas theme for specific areas of focus at this time of year. 

We’ve also created a free self-care calendar pdf for you to download for you and use right away.  Print it to hang somewhere you’ll see each day and simply begin your journey through the 24 days. 

How Long Should It Take Each Day?

Amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, finding time for yourself might seem like a daunting task. That’s where our Mindfulness Advent Calendar comes in.

We recommend dedicating just 20 minutes each day to practise mindfulness and engage in simple exercises that can have a profound impact on your well-being. We believe that 20 minutes a day is a manageable amount of time to find whilst being long enough to take benefit from the daily mindful task.

A 20-Minute Candle Timer

To make your daily mindfulness sessions even more special, consider using a candlelit timer.

As it happens, a standard-sized advent candle burns for approximately 20 minutes a day – the ideal duration for your daily practice. And a typical birthday cake candle lasts for much the same time.*

The soft glow of candlelight adds a touch of hygge to your me-time agenda, creating a warm and cosy atmosphere that perfectly complements the holiday spirit.

*If you happen to be like us and have lots of random leftover birthday candles in your kitchen drawer!

Of course, should you prefer, you can always just set a timer on your phone. To enhance the experience, remember to change your timer sound to something joyful, ensuring that the chime doesn’t startle you out of your Zen headspace.  And don’t forget to switch your phone to Do Not Disturb mode to minimise disturbances during your precious moments of self-care.

Making The Most Of Your Wellbeing Advent Calendar

It’s so easy to get caught up in giving to others over the holidays season.  Don’t forget that it’s just as important to nurture yourself.  It’s that aeroplane safety announcement, isn’t it – fit your own oxygen mask before helping others.  Unless we focus inwards and look after ourselves, we won’t be able to show up fully for our loved ones.  Build these mindful activities into your Christmas countdown to enjoy a more relaxed and meaningful holiday season.

Consider these simple suggestions to get the most out of your mindfulness advent calendar:

1. Turn Off Distractions: Prior to starting your mindfulness session, turn off your phone or set it to Do Not Disturb mode to avoid unnecessary distraction.
2. Create A Special Space: Designate a quiet and comfortable space for your daily practice. This space can be your sanctuary for relaxation and mindfulness.
3. Inform Others: Let your family or housemates know about your dedicated me-time. This way they can support your practice by minimising disturbances during your 20-minute sessions.
4. Embrace Consistency: Try to allocate the same time each day for your mindfulness practice. Consistency fosters a sense of routine and makes it easier to stick to your daily commitment.
5. Release Expectations: Be kind to yourself. Let go of any expectations or judgments and approach each day’s activity with an open mind. If your focus drifts during a session, gently guide it back to the present moment.

Mindful Activities: 24 Days of Self-Care

Now let’s dive into the heart of our Mindfulness Advent Calendar – 24 days of simple mindfulness exercises designed to help you find peace and joy during the holiday season. Each day offers a unique activity to practice mindfulness and boost your well-being. 

Scroll down to grab your free printable wellbeing Advent Calendar.  But we’ve included the details here too should you have a different format in mind. 

Day 1: BREATHE

Find a comfortable position, close your eyes, and focus on your breath. Take conscious breaths, allowing yourself to be present in the moment.

Day 2: THINK ABOUT YOUR CHRISTMAS

Write down three things YOU want to do this holiday season. Make your Christmas about what brings you joy and remember to include your wishes in the festive planning too.

Day 3: TAKE A STROLL

Bundle up and step outside. As you walk, observe your surroundings, and take in the beauty of the season.

Day 4: DECLUTTER

Choose one drawer or cupboard to sort. Clearing physical clutter can help clear your mind.  Don’t try to do it all though – commit fully to just one location and take pride in completing that.

Day 5: LISTEN TO NATURE

Whether outdoors or through nature sounds online, pause to listen and connect with the natural world.

Day 6: WRITE A LETTER

Reach out to someone with a heartfelt letter or card. Spread love and kindness this holiday season.

Day 7: SIP A HERBAL TEA

Embrace the warmth of a cup of herbal tea in your hands. Engage your senses and savour a moment of calm.

Day 8: CUDDLE WITH A LOVED ONE

Snuggle under a blanket with someone dear to you. Enjoy the warmth of companionship.

Day 9: READ

Dive into a book, magazine, or Christmas cards you’ve received. Let your mind unwind through reading.

Day 10: STRETCH

Gently stretch your body to release tension and promote relaxation.  Start with your neck and shoulders and work your way down.

Day 11: WRITE DOWN FIVE POSITIVE THOUGHTS

Hang them where you’ll see them often, reminding yourself of the good in each day.

Day 12: SHARE THE KINDNESS

Perform a good deed for someone else. Experience the joy that comes from spreading positivity.

Day 13: EXERCISE

Get your heart pumping and release endorphins through physical activity.

Day 14: LISTEN TO YOUR FAVORITE SONGS

Create a mini playlist of favourite tunes and let the music uplift your spirits.  You can create playlists for free on Spotify.  Fill it with Christmas songs if you’d like or just whatever you’re in the mood to hear.

Day 15: TAKE A NAP

Allow yourself to rest and recharge by taking a short nap.

Day 16: BE CREATIVE

Engage in a creative activity.  No need for it to be complicated; bake cookies, make a paper chain or a pompom decoration, write down your favourite Christmas traditions to share with others.  Continue an existing project or start something new; there’s no rules here.  The aim is to clear your mind by focussing on what your hands have accomplished.

Day 17: LOOK AFTER YOUR SKIN

Pamper yourself by cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturising your skin.

Day 18: FEEL GRATEFUL

Write down three things you’re thankful for. Remember to appreciate what you’ve achieved, who’s in your life and what you have.  Cultivate a sense of gratitude during this festive season.

Day 19: WATCH THE LIGHTS

Sit and enjoy the gentle twinkle of Christmas tree lights. Let their beauty mesmerise you.

Day 20: TALK

Engage in a meaningful conversation with someone you love. Enjoy a moment of close connection.

Day 21: HAVE A MINDFUL SNACK

Take the time to sit down and mindfully enjoy a healthy snack.  Our grandmother firmly believed in the preparation of fruit as a way to show your love and care.  Trust us; there is something about a sliced apple or peeled orange carefully laid out on a plate rather than gobbled from whole on the move.

Day 22: DOODLE

Let your creativity flow through doodling or colouring. Allow your mind to wander freely.

Day 23: TAKE A BATH

Create a relaxing ambiance with candles or bubbles. Let the warm water soothe your body and mind.

Day 24: STAND OUTSIDE AND LISTEN

Breathe in the fresh air and savour the sounds of Christmas Eve. Find peace in the stillness of the moment and feel the festive anticipation in the air.

Free Printable Mindfulness Advent Calendar

Download your free printable self-care advent calendar here.

Hang it on a wall, door, or mirror as is and work down through the days of December.

You could also cut the calendar up and pop the days in a jar to select from at random.  Personally, we think part of the experience is looking forward to the coming day’s activity and preparing mentally to embrace it.  But, as with everything Christmas related, this is your journey – enjoy it the way you’d like.

Self-Care Advent Calendar Gifts

If you’re looking to gift this mindfulness advent calendar, consider pairing it with an advent candle.  Or better yet, what about one of Cotton & Grey’s gorgeous advent sets of 24 beautiful beeswax candles complete with stand?  Add a gift tag to explain how the 20-minutes-a-day concept. 

Share with someone you know will appreciate it – your friends, a busy mum, or even a workplace Secret Santa.  Why not leave it on a colleague’s desk on December 1^st as a surprise?  Or leave a few on the table in the staff room.

Want to make your gift even more special?

Create a holiday gift basket containing the printed advent calendar, timer candle(s), and then another small gift or two to make the most of the month ahead.  Some great options include:

• herbal tea,
• luscious skin products,
• bubble bath,
• small journal or some notepaper,
• a cosy scarf, socks, or blanket.