Post-Holiday Reset: Cool Tools to Bring Calm Back Home

The holidays are full of magic—twinkling lights, family traditions, laughter, and connection. But when the decorations come down and routines fade, it’s normal for families to feel… off. 

Children may seem more sensitive. Parents may feel exhausted. Homes that were once buzzing with excitement can suddenly feel quiet—or emotionally overwhelming. 

This is where the reset begins. 

At The Sky Within You, we believe every family deserves gentle tools to return to calm, connection, and emotional safety. Below are simple, powerful COOL TOOLS you can use together to smooth the transition and bring peace back into your home. 

Why the “After” Can Feel Harder Than the Event 

During the holidays, children often experience: 

• Changes in schedule 

• Overstimulation from noise, lights, and activity 

• Big emotions from seeing family—or missing loved ones 

• Sugar intake and sleep disruptions 

For adults, this season can bring: 

• Emotional burnout 

• Pressure to meet expectations 

• Financial and mental stress 

• Little time to rest or reset 

Research shows that disruptions to routine and sleep can increase emotional reactivity and stress in both children and adults, especially when nervous systems are already taxed by excitement or change (Bath, 2015; Mindell & Owens, 2015). 

The body and brain don’t switch back instantly. Just like travel requires adjustment, so does emotional excitement. 

A reset isn’t about controlling behavior—it’s about restoring regulation. 

COOL TOOL #1: Rebuild the Rhythm 

Start with structure. 

Return to simple routines like consistent bedtimes, meals, and quiet moments to help the nervous system feel safe and grounded again.  

Predictability helps the brain know what comes next, lowering stress hormones and supporting emotional regulation (Perry & Szalavitz, 2017). 

Try: 

• Consistent bedtime and wake-up time 

• Predictable meals 

• A short daily quiet time 

• Morning and evening wind-down rituals 

Use simple language: 

“The holidays were special, and now our body needs rhythm again.” 

COOL TOOL #2: The Daily Reset Breath 

Practice “Rainbow Breathing” together—slow, intentional breaths—to quickly calm the body during transitions, stress, or big emotions. 

Slow, controlled breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, helping reduce anxiety and emotional overload (Porges, 2011). 

Practice together: 

• Inhale through the nose for 4 seconds 

• Hold for 4 seconds 

• Exhale slowly through the mouth for 6–8 seconds 

(Printable Rainbow Breathing Resource located on our FREE tab) 

Use it: 

• After school 

• Before bedtime 

• During emotional moments 

COOL TOOL #3: Let Feelings Talk (Without Fixing) 

Post-holiday emotions may include: 

• Sadness after goodbyes 

• Frustration about routines returning 

• Anxiety around school or work 

• Disappointment when expectations weren’t met 

Listen and validate emotions with simple affirming phrases, remembering that connection comes before correction.  

Children regulate best when they feel heard and emotionally safe. Studies show that emotional validation strengthens attachment and helps children develop long-term coping skills (Siegel & Bryson, 2012). 

Instead of solving, try listening: 

• “That makes sense.” 

• “I’m glad you told me.” 

• “Your feelings are welcome here.” 

Connection comes before correction. 

COOL TOOL #4: Move It Out 

Children—and adults—release stress through motion. Use movement like walking, dancing, stretching, or play to release stress and unlock stuck emotions. 

Physical movement helps the body process stress hormones and improves emotional regulation (Ratey, 2008). 

Encourage: 

• Family walks 

• Dance breaks 

• Stretching 

• Outdoor play 

• Gentle yoga before bedtime 

Movement unlocks stuck emotion. 

COOL TOOL #5: Reconnect with One-on-One Moments 

After busy gatherings, children crave you again. Create short, intentional moments of undivided attention to refill your child’s emotional cup. 

Even brief moments of attuned, undistracted connection strengthen emotional security (Siegel, 2020). 

Create mini moments: 

• Reading a short story together 

• One-on-one errands 

• Five minutes of uninterrupted play 

• Morning snuggles 

Connection doesn’t need quantity. It needs presence. 

COOL TOOL #6: Create a Reset Ritual 

Use simple rituals to emotionally close one season and gently welcome the next. 

Transitions are easier when meaning is created intentionally (Bath, 2015). 

Try: 

• Lighting a candle and naming one thing you’re grateful for 

• Drawing a favorite holiday memory 

• Making a “new season” family goal jar 

• Writing feelings on paper and tearing them up 

You’re teaching emotional closure—and resilience. 

COOL TOOL #7: Speak Calm Over Your Home 

Words shape atmosphere. Regulating, reassuring language sets the emotional tone and becomes the voice children carry within themselves (Siegel & Bryson, 2012). 

Use regulating phrases like: 

• “We are safe here.” 

• “It’s okay to slow down.” 

• “We’re finding our rhythm again.” 

• “Big feelings are allowed in this house.” 

Your voice becomes their inner voice. 

A Moment of Devotion: Finding Rest After the Rush 

After celebration comes stillness—and sometimes, that stillness feels uncomfortable. 

Scripture reminds us that rest is not weakness. It’s restoration. 

“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28 (NIV) 

As a family, pause and reflect: 

• Where do we feel tired? 

• Where do we need gentleness? 

• What would it look like to let God restore our rhythm? 

Invite calm not through striving—but through surrender. 

Remember: Resets aren’t a sign something went wrong. They’re proof something meaningful happened. 

Give your family grace. Move slowly. Breathe deeply. Reconnect intentionally. 

Calm is something we practice, not something we achieve.