Keep Calm and Zen On With These Practices I Use to De-stress From the Holiday Rush

First and foremost, you have to get into a bit of a selfish mindset — the good kind of selfish. You hear it on every flight and it's true in daily life, too — you have to put on your own oxygen mask first before you can help anyone else.

For me, going hard at the gym is a kind of therapy. As much as I sometimes don't want to go, I never regret suiting up and sweating it out. At the Sugar Chalet, Athleta offered a morning yoga class that helped set the tone for the rest of the day. It showed me that doing something for yourself — no matter what it may be — goes a long way, and it's not just all for fun, it's also necessary to function!

It goes without saying that feeling physically comfortable is the first step in any relaxation journey. While I thought my cotton socks and ragged 10-year-old slippers were sufficient, turns out, there are much, much better options out there. Thanks to Zappos, I learned that when your feet feel like royalty — very comfy royalty — your body and spirit do, too!

Koolaburra by UGG offers impressively soft shoes and slippers that, when worn, instantly put you in a calmer mindset. It's amazing how clearheaded you can feel when you're not concerned about cold, achy feet.

I've never been a meditator, but after experiencing how rejuvenating it can be to just sit still and breathe, I'm starting to think I may have been missing out all along. After all, it's a great way to reconnect with yourself and put things in perspective.

During various meditation sessions sponsored by Nature's Way, guests had the opportunity to disconnect from the outside world and completely focus on being present and alive — something we could all do a little bit more of!

Avoiding germs and trying to stay healthy during cold and flu season is enough on its own to send you into a panic. I personally take vitamin C every morning, but I quickly learned that there are so many more things I can do to not just combat illness, but also boost my energy, alleviate stress, and get a better night's sleep — all the things I need to operate at my best.

Nature's Way definitely schooled me on supplements, and I particularly loved the sambucus fizzy hot drink I sampled, which contained elderberries to help support my immune system. From organic sambucus and zinc lozenges to probiotics that don't need to be refrigerated, I was excited to discover products that will help me spend less time worrying about getting sick — or gasp, actually being sick! — and more time being productive.

Along with making sure you're taking your supplements, getting enough sleep, exercising, and drinking water, we can't forget to indulge every now and then. I don't know about you, but solely eating salads would drive me crazy after about two days.

At Sugar Chalet, I got to try Yasso Greek Frozen Yogurt Bars — in holiday flavors no less — and I was delighted by how delicious and satisfying they were. Even better, they're also guilt-free with just 100 calories and five grams of protein. But no matter what form your indulgence of choice comes in, it's important to allow yourself to let loose from time to time and enjoy whatever makes you happy.

There's nothing like a massage to refresh you when you're feeling out of whack. From Seventh Sense, I learned that even something as simple as a hand massage — especially of the CBD variety — can calm and soothe.

As an editor, I'm constantly on my computer and phone, which sometimes takes a toll on my finger joints and palms. At the event, one of the massage therapists present did such a great job alleviating my hand tension that my entire body instantly relaxed as well. The hemp-derived CBD lotion was an added bonus that left me feeling extra moisturized and soothed.

One of my biggest holiday stressors is shopping for gifts. Not only is it challenging to find something everyone on my list will love, but, let's be real, it's downright expensive! Every season, my poor pockets truly take a hit and it leaves me feeling unprepared.

Learning about Klarna was a game-changer. With Klarna, you're able to pay for anything your heart desires in four installments — no fees and no interest. The best part? No retailers are off limits. Simply download the Klarna app and shop now, then pay later. Now I can finally feel comfortable enough to buy big-ticket items for myself (hello Dyson vacuum) and equally impressive gifts for my family.

When I look my best, I feel my best, which is especially important during the season of constant face time with family and friends. After receiving a complimentary makeover, courtesy of e.l.f. Cosmetics, at Sugar Chalet, I left feeling like the best version of myself and ready to tackle any outing — festive or not — that came my way.

From shimmer eye shadow to high-shine glosses, e.l.f. has everything you need for a gorgeous beauty look — whether you want to go glam or keep it natural and minimal. And with unbeatable prices, it's the perfect stocking stuffer.