Keeping Your Cool When the Calendar Gets Full

As the days grow shorter and schedules fill up, the season meant for joy can quickly turn into one of the most stressful times of year. Between work, school, family gatherings, and endless to-do lists, even happy traditions can start to feel like obligations.

Our Coach Success Lead, Erika Boehme, shared practical ways to manage seasonal stress and keep calm through the holiday hustle, while modeling resilience for your kids.

📺 Watch the recording here: 

Prevent What’s Predictable

Every year tends to play out the same way, unless we decide to do it differently.

“The key to making change,” Erika shared, “is to prevent what’s predictable.”

Start by reflecting: What usually drains you? What’s within your control to change or prevent? Recognizing your patterns lets you interrupt them, before stress takes over.

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Check In with Your Body

Stress shows up before we notice it: tight shoulders, clenched jaws, shallow breaths.
A short body scan to soften tension and signal calm:

• Relax your forehead.
• Soften your jaw.
• Drop your shoulders.
• Take a deep exhale.

Try checking in once a day to catch stress early, before it builds up.

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Create Your 3–2–1 Calm Plan

When overwhelm hits, you don’t need a full reset, just one small step.

Clayful’s 3–2–1 Calm tool helps you plan ahead:

• 3 things you can do to feel calm
• 2 people you can reach out to
• 1 kind thing you can say to yourself

Write it down and keep it visible. When things go sideways (you forgot the gravy and the kids are yelling), use your list to get back to center.

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Boost Your “Happy Chemicals”

Seasonal dips are real: less light and more stress can lower our natural mood boosters.

Add a few daily actions that lift energy and connection:

• Move your body
• Call a friend
• Play with your pet
• Do something kind for someone else

Small actions create real chemical change and real relief.

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Stay Present

Holidays can pull us into regrets and worries. Ground yourself in the now:

• Triangle breathing: inhale–hold–exhale for equal counts
• 5 senses check: notice 5 things you see, 4 you touch, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, 1 you taste
• Positive self-talk: “Thanks, worries—but not today.”

As Erika reminded us, “You may not have time for self-care, but you can always take one deep breath.”

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Spot Stress in Your Kids, Too

Low motivation or irritability in kids isn’t always laziness: it could be stress or sadness. Watch for signs like withdrawal, fatigue, or loss of interest. If these persist for more than two weeks, reach out to a trusted professional.

Ask with curiosity, not correction:

“I’ve noticed you seem quieter lately. How are you doing?”

Then listen. Really listen.

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Keep Learning: Previous Webinar Recaps

• Raising Teens in the Age of AI & Social Media
• Everyday Stress Solutions for Parents & Teens
• How to Get Your Teen to Open Up

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Want More Support?

Clayful offers easy, everyday tools for families and schools to strengthen connection and mental well-being.

💬 Clayful for Caregivers – Join our free Back-to-School Reset program: 4 weeks of short, daily texts with tips to lower stress and build calm. Sign up here ›

👂 1:1 Coaching – Chat live with a certified coach between 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. ET. Sign up here >  

🧠 For Students – Two free text-based programs:

• Stress Tools – helps students manage test and life pressure. Learn more ›
• Creative Confidence – builds self-expression and courage. Learn more ›

If your child is under 13, please complete parent consent › so they can access Clayful.

California families: adding insurance info may help your school get Medi-Cal reimbursement for Clayful services.