The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy and togetherness. However, for many moms, it brings a tidal wave of stress and pressure. A recent study reveals that a significant 65% of moms feel overwhelmed by the expectation to create picture-perfect holidays. In response, the meditation and mindfulness app Calm is offering new resources and a touch of humor to help parents navigate the season with a little more ease.
The Pressure to Project Perfection
The idyllic holiday image—sparkling lights, perfectly wrapped gifts, and happy, smiling faces—can create unrealistic expectations. Behind the scenes, many moms are juggling a seemingly endless list of tasks, including late-night wrapping sessions, managing the antics of a holiday elf, coordinating travel, and hosting guests. The pressure to maintain this facade of effortless perfection can be emotionally taxing.
Calm’s “Not Calm” Campaign: Acknowledging the Realities
Calm’s latest initiative, “Not Calm Holiday,” is part of their ongoing “Not Calm Moms” campaign. It aims to acknowledge the very real struggles moms face during the holidays and offer practical tools for finding moments of peace. The campaign is built on data highlighting the words and expectations that trigger stress for moms.
Practical Tools for Finding Moments of Peace
To help moms regain composure amid the holiday rush, Calm is releasing three new guided practices led by Mel Mah, a mindfulness expert and mom herself. These short sessions—”Grounding Through the Chaos,” “Shake Off the Overwhelm,” and “Sigh Out the Tension”—are designed for quick, accessible mindfulness breaks.
“This holiday season, give yourself permission to pause, move, and reset,” said Mah. “Even a few moments can help you feel more present and less overwhelmed.”
These sessions are intended to be used in short bursts – while waiting in the carpool line, between online meetings, or even during those fleeting moments of solitude. The goal is to provide immediate relief and a chance to recenter.
Understanding the Source of Holiday Stress
The data reveals that certain words and tasks are particularly stressful for moms. Budgeting, holiday shopping, and delayed shipping consistently top the list of holiday stressors.
Here’s a breakdown of the key stressors:
- 74% of moms cite budgeting as a top stressor.
- 68% feel overwhelmed by holiday shopping.
- 64% are anxious about delayed shipping and late gift arrivals.
- 59% feel the mental load of constant planning and scheduling is burdensome.
- 58% feel the pressure of hosting guests is stressful.
Notably, Millennial moms report even higher levels of stress: 83% say carrying the mental load is stressful, 76% feel pressure to make the holidays perfect, and half (50%) report higher stress levels this holiday season compared to last.
A Touch of Humor and Solidarity: The “Not Calm” Merchandise
Recognizing that sometimes, a little humor can be the best medicine, Calm has debuted its first-ever piece of merchandise: a corduroy hat embroidered with the words “not calm.” This playful accessory is intended to be a small act of solidarity for anyone struggling to stay afloat during the holiday season.
“It’s a small act of solidarity for anyone just trying to stay afloat in the chaos (read: all of us).”
The “not calm” hat is available in three colors and can be purchased at shop.calm.com. Whether it evokes a smile from a stranger or simply brightens someone’s day, the hat serves as a message that finding calm isn’t about being effortlessly chill; it’s about acknowledging that you’re not alone in the overwhelm.
In conclusion, Calm’s new initiatives offer a refreshing approach to navigating the holiday season. By validating the struggles of overwhelmed moms and providing accessible tools for finding calm, alongside a touch of lightheartedness, Calm is helping to shift the focus from unrealistic perfection to genuine well-being. The goal is to help parents find moments of peace and remind them that it’s okay—and perfectly normal—to not be calm during the holidays
