The 7-Minute Stress Reset
The two weeks before Christmas can feel like one long to-do list—shopping, cooking, baking, wrapping, gifting, card-writing, hosting, emailing, and fitting in all the holiday fun. I sometimes have days I’d simply like to pull the covers over my head and hide. While this season is joyful, it can also stretch our energy and attention in ways we don’t always expect.
That’s why this week, I want to share something small but mighty: The 7-Minute Stress Reset. Seven minutes is short enough to squeeze in between errands, parties, and grocery runs, yet powerful enough to help your body settle and your mind recharge. Think of it as your pocket-sized pause button for December, so get your timer ready.
Here are five simple resets you can use anytime:
- The 7-Minute Walk
Head outside (or walk laps/stairs around your house). Movement clears stress hormones quickly and increases circulation, which helps you feel more grounded. Fresh air is a bonus if it’s not super freezing or icy.
- The 7-Minute Stretch + Breathe
Unclench your shoulders, open your chest, roll your neck, and pair each movement with slow, intentional breaths. Even a short stretch session can release built-up tension from driving, shopping, or sitting at holiday events.
- The 7-Minute Tidy
Choose one small area—your kitchen island, entryway, desk, or the coffee table. Set a timer and only give it seven minutes. You’ll be amazed at how much calmer your space (and your mind) feels when one corner looks refreshed. We’re going for better, not perfect.
- The 7-Minute Hydration + Reset Ritual
Make a cup of tea or fill a big glass of water with lemon or berries. Sip slowly. Put your phone down. Breathe. Let the moment feel like a gentle reset—because it is. 
- The 7-Minute Read
Give yourself permission to slow down and enjoy a few quiet pages of a book or favorite magazine. This simple pause can lower stress, reset your focus, and add a moment of calm to your day.
Why 7 Minutes Works
You don’t have to overhaul your schedule or create a whole new routine. Small pockets of time, repeated consistently, help your nervous system stay balanced and prevent that rushed, frazzled feeling that can creep in mid-December.
The key? Pick one reset and actually do it. Seven minutes is doable and effective—exactly what this season calls for.
The reset I’ll try first: the 7-minute tidy. I’m not sure what happened, but I’m having a tough time seeing the top of my desk…yikes!
Here’s to creating small moments of peace in the most beautifully busy time of year.
Much love,
Health Coach Carol
“You can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle three things: a rainy day, lost luggage and tangled Christmas tree lights.” —Maya Angelou