Christmas Balance
Body & Soul
05.12.2025 Christin Müller 5593

Christmas time in balance: tips and exercises

Just before the end of the year, time seems to pass even faster than it already does. How often do you hear that now? Please get everything done before Christmas/New Year! Why is that? Then there's shopping for presents, preparing for Christmas, Christmas parties and children's performances. Sounds like a lot of work and not enough time.

Read more in this article:

Deadline end of year

Many people see the turn of the year as a clear cut to start the new year "tidied up". A lot of things need to be taken off the "table" at the last minute. However, people often forget that the work is no longer necessarily on the "table".

Pause for a moment: Concentrate on the essentials and don't allow yourself to be distracted.

Ticking off: Create a checklist and tick off what has been done.

Check: Are there any upcoming tasks that can only be completed in January? Is it possible to postpone a project? Which e-mail still needs to be processed now, which still has time?

Thinking differently about traditions

Christmas tree, family, presents, festive food - it's always been like this. But does it have to stay that way?

Agree: Discuss with your family how you would like to deal with certain traditions in the future. Agreeing to only give presents to the children can make for a much more peaceful holiday. Especially in the run-up.

Divide up: When the big family gets together, the preparation often falls to one person. Each family member could take over the planning and preparation for a different part of the party.

Take a load off: Eating together is usually a central point of the holidays. Take a load off and go to a restaurant in style. With good planning, this is also possible in large groups.

Exercise & relaxation

Even if it is difficult, especially in the wet and cold season, exercise is far more effective at reducing stress than lying on the sofa. It doesn't always have to be the gym. And after exercise, you can enjoy the relaxation twice as much.

Mindfulness: Go for a walk. Consciously enjoy the winter sun, listen to its footsteps on the frozen ground and let the snowflakes melt in the palm of your hand.

Celebrate: For example, take part in a tea ceremony, stroll through the Christmas market with your family or treat yourself to a massage.


 

Instant help for stress - 3 quick exercises for body and mind

"Shake it all off" - let go of stress 

This 1-minute exercise relieves tension, helps to reduce stress and gives you a boost of energy.

This is how it works: 

  • Stand comfortably and shake out your arms, legs and upper body loosely one after the other.
  • Start with your hands and work your way down to your feet.
  • To finish, shake your whole body loosely for 10 seconds.

The breathing anchor: 1-minute mindfulness break

This exercise calms the mind, reduces stress and helps you to consciously perceive the moment.

  • Sit down comfortably, close your eyes or lower your gaze.
  • Focus your attention on your breath. Feel how the air flows in and out through your nose.
  • Count "one" quietly as you inhale and "two" as you exhale. Repeat this for one minute.
  • Let any thoughts that arise pass and return to your breath.

Thought detox: create free space 

This exercise will help you "empty" your head. This gives you clarity of thought and makes it easier for you to focus on the next task.

  • Take a sheet of paper or open a note-taking app.
  • Write down everything that is on your mind for 2 minutes - without any structure or evaluation.
  • Do not read through what you have written immediately, but put the notepad to one side or delete it (if you wish).

The pme Academy wishes you a relaxing pre-Christmas period and happy holidays.

zero Business psychologist Vera Starker: "Hate is destructive - confidence is the exact opposite"

to see is the author Vera Starker
Psyche
14.03.2025 Isabel Hempel 12800

Business psychologist Vera Starker on confidence

Vera Starker is certain that confidence can help us shape our lives and society in a positive way, especially in uncertain times. In this interview, the Spiegel bestselling author talks about how confidence can act as a formative force in our society. She shares personal experiences and gives impulses on how we can remain optimistic in times of crisis and actively bring about positive change.

For me, "being courageous" means acting despite fears

"Courage to be confident" is a very powerful title. What inspired you personally to write a book that deals intensively with this topic?

Vera Starker: I am a confident person by nature. But last year, I realized that all the negative news was increasingly sapping my energy. This led me to take a closer look at the topic of confidence on a scientific level. 

For me, "being courageous" means acting despite fears. And confidence is the key to finding this courage. At a time when we are confronted with many uncertainties, we need the confidence to embrace positive change and take action.

In your book, you emphasize the transformative power of confidence. How do you see the role of confidence as a shaping force in our society?

Confidence has the potential to keep us capable of acting, even in the midst of crises. It enables us not to remain powerless, but to actively seek solutions to solve complex problems. 

Especially in the future, in a world full of challenges, the power of confidence will be crucial in order to continuously adapt and enable positive change. Without confidence, all we can do is hesitate - with confidence, we can create.

In your opinion, what is the first step that each of us can take to actively bring about positive change?

It is important to recognize where we can actually make an impact. Confidence arises above all when we have the feeling that we can make a difference. We should focus on the areas where we can make a direct difference instead of being overwhelmed by things that are beyond our reach. 

The next step is to set realistic goals that match our skills. If we set ourselves goals that are too high and cannot be achieved, we lose our sense of effectiveness. The power of confidence lies in remaining capable of action and bringing about positive change in the areas over which we have influence.

Hate is destructive - confidence is the exact opposite

In one chapter of your book, you deal intensively with the topic of hate. How can we as a society learn to overcome hate and what role does confidence play in bringing about positive change?

Vera Starker: Hate is destructive - confidence is the exact opposite. We have to decide whether we react to hate or rely on confidence. Confidence means clearly recognizing challenges and then looking for opportunities to act - even if they seem small at first. 

It is crucial to surround yourself with people who also have a constructive attitude and strive for positive change. Cohesion creates a force that enables us to move in a positive direction as a society.

Was there a personal moment in your life when "courage to be confident" played a decisive role for you? If so, could you tell us more about it?

Vera Starker: Yes, in my youth I had some very challenging human experiences that presented me with a difficult decision: Should these events define my life or could I overcome them? 

I decided to overcome them, which made me realize that there is always a way - no matter how small it may seem. However, sometimes it takes great courage not to give up and to keep going. 

This moment taught me that confidence doesn't mean closing your eyes to problems, but finding the courage to carry on despite everything.

Lectures, workshops, podcasts that promote our resilience

The "Lost in Space?" initiative invites us with openness and curiosity to explore new paths that give us support and direction in these intense times. Because finding solutions requires strength - and is only possible together. 

With inspiring talks, interactive workshops, podcasts and blog articles, we create space to find inner clarity and strength and remain resilient. Join us on an exciting journey to new perspectives and opportunities!

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