Now loading: Meditation mode

Haven't tried it yet? Here's your start-this-second strategy to find your center, no matter the strom.

- ERIN REIMEL

Between stressing about what to gift your bsf, rethinking every answer on last week's history exam, getting an extra load of chores to prep for guests and pasting on a smile for all the holiday gatherings ("Sure, Great-Aunt Greta, I'd love to hear about your hip replacement again!"), is it just us or do you kinda feel like you could use a break...from your holiday break? This time of year is tailor-made for leaving you feeling overwhelmed, anxious and exhausted. But fear not friend, there's an easy way to manage the nonstop noise: meditation.

"Meditation helps you to become familiar with all of who you are," says Ellie Burrows Gluck, a meditation teacher in New York City. "It allows you to bring your full attention to something like your breath or a mantra." While it can feel challenging to sit down and zone out when you have so much on your plate, incorporating a meditation practice can calm your mind and body, improve your sleep quality and reduce stress, anxiety and depression (yes, please).

Not sure how to get started? Practicing meditation is easier than you think. And isn't stressing less (and living in the moment more) the holiday gift we all could use rn?

Why we need more meditation

"Meditation can help you feel good and bring balance back to your life," says yoga and meditation teacher Adi Amar. How? It trains your brain to focus-and to return to that focus when negative thinking, emotions, stress and anxiety come into play.