A Simple, Restorative Holiday Reset for Moms

In this episode of the Everwell Mama Podcast, Siobhan guides busy moms through a simple, restorative holiday reset to help them get their energy and joy back during this magical season. Instead of pushing through exhaustion, Siobhan shares practical, guilt-free ways to rest and recharge, including creating a calming space, focusing on nourishing habits, and prioritizing restorative rest. She opens up about how a small reset can make a big difference for your energy and well-being, empowering you to enjoy the holidays without feeling stretched too thin. Grab your coziest blanket and a warm drink—it’s time to reset.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why a holiday reset can be the difference between just surviving and actually enjoying the season.
• How to check in with yourself using a simple mental tool to assess your energy.
• Practical tips for creating a calming space that encourages rest and reflection.
• The importance of small but impactful habits like hydration, nourishing meals, and consistent routines.
• Why prioritizing rest and sleep is essential for your reset.
• How to let go of guilt and embrace the idea that taking care of yourself benefits your whole family.

Noteworthy quotes from this episode:

"Just like your kids start to lose it when they’re overtired, sleep is essential for your reset."

"Staying hydrated and eating nourishing food will give you that steady, long-lasting energy you need to truly reset."

"Mama, if you’ve been feeling like you’re barely holding it all together this holiday season, I want you to know—it’s not because you’re failing as a mom."

"You might be feeling like you’re falling apart at the seams, but it’s not your plans—it’s likely that you’re trying to pour from a cup that’s just got a tiny bit of juice and a whole lotta dribble."

"Creating this space doesn’t have to take long, but the key is to make it a space where you feel peaceful and want to spend time in."

Your Holiday Reset Starts Here:

Feeling depleted and overwhelmed this holiday season? You’re not alone, Mama—and you don’t have to keep pushing through. Let me help you reset with an energy strategy tailored to your unique needs. Book an Energy Strategy call or send me a DM on Instagram at @EverwellCoaching to get started. Together, we’ll make sure you can enjoy this season with calm and clarity.

Connect with Siobhan

• Tired of being tired? Go from “Too Tired” to “Ready for Anything” with Siobhan’s 21 Energy Hacks
• Ready to reclaim your energy and wellness, Mama? DM Siobhan on Instagram for details about her coaching services.
• Instagram: @everwellcoaching

About Siobhan

Siobhan Bingham coaches working moms to boost their energy to show up better for their kids, their partner, their work, and themselves. Using her ALIGN framework, she provides personalized strategies to break free from exhaustion and create a daily rhythm that works with your life—not against it.

Transcript

Episode 6
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Siobhan: [00:00:00] Hey Mama! Welcome to the Everwell Mama podcast, the place where we explore simple, sustainable, self care and wellness strategies to help you feel your best while managing your busy life. I'm Siobhan Bingham, a holistic life and wellness coach here to guide you as we uncover practical tools that will actually stick so you can enjoy self care without the guilt trip.

Whether you're a new listener or returning for more, I'm so glad you're here. Let's dive into the next step on your journey to becoming an ever well mama.

Hey mama, welcome back! This episode is kind of a sequel to last week's episode, so if you haven't listened to Stress Free Holidays already, it might make more sense to go back quickly and take a listen there first. If you're caught up, you know that we've talked about how to have a stress free holiday and still enjoy the [00:01:00] season, and today I want to take it a step further and make it a little more personal for you.

We are going to be talking about how you can do a simple, restorative holiday reset. And to be clear, a holiday reset isn't about adding more to your plate. It's actually gonna take what drains you off the table and leave you with just what gives you energy so that you can be at your best. And mama, if you've been feeling like you're barely holding it all together this holiday season, I want you to know, it's not because you're failing as a mom.

In fact, I can almost promise you that you are an amazing mom and your kids are so lucky to have you. The holidays can be overwhelming, right? Between the shopping, planning, parties, concerts, spirit weeks, and visits with friends and family, there's a lot to juggle. And if you're anything like I was, you might find yourself feeling more drained by the end of the season.

And have you ever felt like you need a vacation from your vacation? Because I have. And yeah, you [00:02:00] might be feeling like you're falling apart at the seams, but this is less from your plans and likely because you're trying to pour from a cup that has just that tiny bit of juice and a whole lot of dribble left.

Let's fix that though with your very own restorative reset. Go grab your favorite hot bevy and settle in while I walk you through how you can give yourself this gift to restore your energy and spirit without the guilt or overwhelm. Before we jump into the practical stuff, I want to quickly touch on why this reset is so important.

If you've been running at full speed and trying to keep up with all the demands of the holiday season, your body and mind are likely screaming for a break. The constant doing, shopping, cooking, planning, wrapping, all of it can leave you feeling like you're just going through the motions rather than truly enjoying the season.

But, my lovely lady, you don't have to wait until January to start feeling better. You can give yourself a reset now, and it doesn't require a ton of time, money, or effort. [00:03:00] Because who's got any of those to spare in December, right? The goal is to take a step back, recalibrate, and give yourself permission to rest and recharge, so you can show up as the best version of yourself for your family, your work, and of course, for you.

The first part of this reset is about tuning in and acknowledging where you're at right now. Imagine a number line. Yeah, I'm taking you back to math class for a minute. I want you to picture the zero in the middle of that number line, and an infinity of positive integers to the right, and an infinity of negative integers to the left.

Imagine this number line is like a thermometer for your energy levels. Zero is perfectly in balance. This is our blank slate for our reset. Where we want to be. for a bit, before hopefully jumping into the positive side of things, to infinity and beyond. Now we need to see where on this number line you're currently at, as well as what direction you're travelling in right now.

You can't get back [00:04:00] to zero if you don't know where on the number line you're at, and you can't reset if you're not aware of your energy levels or emotional state, right? So take a moment to check in with yourself. Do a quick body scan. Starting from your head, all the way down to your toes. Are you feeling exhausted?

Stressed out? Overwhelmed? Or maybe you're feeling a bit of holiday joy, mixed in with some anxiety. Remember that no matter what it is, all of your feelings are completely valid, and you're not alone in experiencing them. Let's pause and take a deep breath together. Inhale slowly for four counts. Hold for four.

And exhale for four.

And while I'm talking here, repeat that a few times. How do you feel right now? Do you notice any tension in your shoulders? In your jaw? [00:05:00] In between your eyebrows, in your hips, or anywhere else in your body. If you are, that's a sign that your body has been holding on to stress. And we're going to gently let that go as we move forward with the reset.

Okay, so you've checked in with yourself. You can find that number you're at on the number line. And if you're not at zero to start with, please let me know what number did you start with. And then ask yourself this simple question. What do I need right now to get closer to zero? Not necessarily what you want, but what you need.

For me, my household has been fighting sickness after sickness, and it's been terrible, honestly. With all this illness, I've lost out on some supports and routines that I usually have in place, and things have been kind of tricky without them. I would love to say that I would like my family to be immune to everything, and we want the world's strongest multivitamin or [00:06:00] mineral, pre, pro, post biotic, whatever it is, but this magical pill doesn't exist, and it's not actually what I need.

I just need some extra rest. I've been the point parent for a while now with all of the illness, and even when I'm resting, I'm up many times in the night nursing and helping the little ones with stuffy noses, And then, my day is the same as normal. So for me, I need more rest, both sleep wise, but also in terms of downtime for just me.

Alone, with no one needing me, talking to me, or touching me. What about you? Whether it's rest, clarity about a decision you need to make, connection time with yourself, or with another relationship, or just a break from all the busyness, acknowledge what you need before anything else. This is the starting point for your reset.

Once you've checked in with yourself, the next step is creating an environment where you can actually begin to recharge. [00:07:00] And here are a few simple ways to set the stage for your restorative reset. First, you're going to need to create a calm space. And you don't need a whole room or even a permanent place to create a calming space.

You just need a small corner, a closet, a bathtub, a shower, your bed, or even just a cozy nook in your household. And even if that only space that you have is in your car or in your closet, it's less about the space itself and more about the intention behind it. Think of it as your tiny escape, just for you.

And think of the things that help you to feel calmer. Maybe it's lighting a favorite candle or burning some sage and laying out a soft blanket. If possible, within this space, try to have a journal or a book nearby. This is for if your mind is wandering and you need some support to calm it down without having to rely on your phone.[00:08:00] 

And creating this space doesn't have to take long, but the key is to make it a space where you feel peaceful and you want to spend time in it. Then we're going to need to unplug for a bit. The holidays are filled with screens, emails, social media, news updates, phone calls, hell, even your stove and microwave timers for your reset to be effective.

You've got to unplug, give yourself permission to take a break from your phone, from social media. And anything else that might overwhelm your senses. The fastest way to making yourself stressed again is by opening Instagram to see some other moms killing themselves to make a picture perfect mantle. You don't need to do this, and you don't need to be on all the time.

Even just 15 minutes a day can make a huge difference. One thing that I've found super helpful for me is setting time limits on my apps and on my phone in general. This way, even when maybe my [00:09:00] mind doesn't necessarily have it all together to turn it off, my phone does it for me. Then, when we've slowed down, it's time to focus on your breathing.

And breathing might sound simple, But it's one of the quickest ways to reset your body's nervous system. When we're stressed, we've got all that adrenaline and cortisol running through our body, and so we tend to breathe more shallowly or we're holding our breath without realizing it. Taking a few minutes each day to do some deep belly breathing will help reset your body's response to stress, and it's going to bring you into that present moment.

You also literally can't be rushing around and stressed while doing mindful breathing, so it's making sure that you're actually doing that slow down. So try this for me. Put one hand on your belly and one hand on your heart. You're gonna inhale deeply for a count of five, hold for five, and then exhale slowly for a count of five.[00:10:00] 

If five is too long for you or too short for you, just find the rhythm that feels best to be slow and steady. And repeat this a few times whenever you need to recenter yourself. Next up, let's talk about two things that often get pushed aside during the holidays. Rest and nourishment. So for rest, we're starting with sleep.

And sleep is non negotiable. I've heard some women say that sometimes sleep feels like the last thing you can squeeze in. To be quite honest, I can't really. Because I am an angry grizzly bear if I don't get a solid rest. Truly. My husband knows to check if I have been fed and slept well enough when I start acting up.

And there's a reason for that. Just like your kids start to lose it when you're out past bedtime and they're overtired, sleep is essential for your reset. If you're feeling drained, take a hard look at your sleep habits. How can you prioritize getting more rest? This might mean going to bed a bit earlier.

[00:11:00] This is me. Like, especially in the sickness season, I've been going to bed at 8 p. m. Like, no word of a lie. Another trick, thinking of you night owl mamas, It'd be asking your partner to handle the morning routine for a few days, so that you can sleep in a little bit longer. Sleep is one of the most restorative things you can do for your body and mind, and it's an absolute must during your holiday recent.

And if you remember from last week's episode You need to keep a consistent bedtime and wake time to get the most out of your rest. Now, if you're laying in bed and you're not fully asleep at the exact time that you're thinking you should be asleep, that's fine. Just lay there and be still and calm until you do fall asleep.

And same for when you wake up. If you wake up, but you still have some extra time before you have to actually be up and at them, but you can't get back to bed, that's fine. Then, just rest. Let your body rest. Okay, [00:12:00] moving on to hanger. I mean, feeding yourself. We often get caught up in all of the holiday treats and these huge meals and while indulging in goodies is totally fine We don't want to forget about nourishing our bodies So eating wholesome foods that give us energy is a key to staying grounded.

Try to include some extra fruits As I'm sure you've seen me touting on Instagram, it's clementine season, honey. You could add in some dark and leafy greens, bright colourful veggies, and a variety of proteins in your meals. And please don't skip your water. I know it's easy to reach for a sugary drink, or some alcohol, or a cup of coffee for a quick energy boost, but staying hydrated and eating this nourishing food will give you that steady, long lasting energy you need to truly reset.

It's like those no name batteries versus the Energizer Bunny. The Energizer Bunny is just gonna keep going and [00:13:00] going and going and going because it has that steady, long lasting energy. Those no name batteries and that quick cup of coffee are gonna leave you with a crash. And if you have questions about what specific foods to include in your holiday season, send me an email or shoot me a DM on Instagram.

Even if I don't have the answer myself, I know a lot of nutritionists who I can hook you up with. Moving on. I know exercise is not always at the top of the list when you're feeling drained, but gentle movement can work wonders in a restorative reset. And it doesn't have to be a workout. Simple stretching or a short walk outside can work wonders for your body and mind.

Try taking a 10 minute walk around your neighborhood to see the decorations on the other houses, or get in a quick stretch before bed, and I'm sure your partner would love to help you here. Now, these small acts of movement will help release that tension you noticed before, and it's going to get your blood flowing, giving you more [00:14:00] energy and a sense of calm.

And as with everything, with wellness and motherhood, it's not about being perfect or doing something intense. It's about moving in a way that feels good for you. Okay, so I'm gonna say it again to really drive the point home here. You need to let go of the need for perfection. The holidays don't have to be flawless, you don't need to have the perfect decorations, the perfect gift, or the perfect Instagram worthy moment.

Let go of all the shoulds and embrace the idea that imperfect is actually more than enough. That happy enjoyment you found from last week is what's gonna make this holiday feel perfect. And when you let go of perfectionism, you create space for grace, for rest, and for the kind of joy that's rooted in real connection, not perfection.

Your kids will remember the warmth and connection with you, not [00:15:00] those perfectly frosted cookies. Seriously, think back to your holidays as a kid. What do you remember most? I maybe remember making cookies, but I can't tell you what they looked like or what they tasted like, other than good. And showing your kids now that self care is a priority teaches them to value their own well being in the future.

Again, I'm going to pause here to really highlight how powerful this is, not only for you, but for your kids as well. When your daughters grow up, do you want them to be running around freaking out and burning themselves out over the holidays because that's what they saw you doing? Do you want your sons to think that this is what their wives are supposed to do in the future?

Do you want your partner to have the opportunity to be your partner in creating the holiday that fits your family's life? When you go into the holidays with a game plan that aligns with your values, and you're starting fresh with a reset, you're going to show them all what mom at the holidays looks like.

[00:16:00] Sounds like, and feels like. And that's it, mama! Your simple, restorative holiday reset is ready to go. It doesn't require anything crazy or overwhelming, just small, intentional steps to slow down, replenish, and nurture yourself. So, to recap, you're checking in where you're at now, then you're going to create a calming space, unplug, breathe, and set up a mini rhythm to rest, eat, hydrate, and move in a way that works for you.

And you're throwing out everyone else's opinions and all those shoulds in your mind to only take what you need to move forward into positive infinity and beyond on that number line. I hope this episode gave you some easy to implement ideas to reset and restore your energy so you can enjoy the holidays in a way that feels good for you and start the process to making 2025 feel better for yourself and your [00:17:00] family.

You don't have to do it all or be everywhere, you just need to show up for yourself. And to make sure you don't lose momentum here, try to write Restorative Reset on a sticky note and place it on your mirror. Or, have it as a pop up note on your phone, as a little nudge to take a moment for yourself each day.

Now, if you loved this episode, don't forget to share it with a friend who could also use Holiday Reset. And, as always, if you're not following the show yet, make sure to do that so you don't miss any future episodes. Remember, Mama, the most meaningful gift you can give your family this season is a version of you that feels calm, energized, and truly present.

Take care of you, and the joy will follow. Take care, and I'll see you next time. Thank you so much for tuning in today. You can find the transcript and all the resources mentioned in the show notes below. If this episode was helpful, I would really appreciate you leaving a 5 star rating and review so I can [00:18:00] keep making it.

Also, I want to make sure this podcast actually answers your wellness questions. If you've got a specific question about how to implement more wellness into your already filled day, Send me a DM on Instagram at everwellcoaching so I can share resources or create a future episode just for you. Stay tuned for our next episode, and until then, remember to take a moment each day to do something that fills your cup, mama.