Whether you love shopping for gifts, traveling, or hosting family, the holidays are stressful. Are you feeling overwhelmed by holiday stress? Perhaps, like everything else in life, holiday stress reflects how well we take care of ourselves. Here are 25 simple ways to care for yourself during the holiday rush.
1. Share Love
It’s normal to be hyper-focused on gifts and material goods this time of year. Take one day, hit pause, and focus on giving your love with the same intensity you give those holiday shopping sprees. That’s what people really want anyway – material goods are just one way to show it.
2. Pause and Breathe
Pausing for a deep breath cures a multitude of problems. Whether you’re feeling stressed, anxious, frustrated, or exhausted, give yourself a moment to breathe or do a guided breathing exercise. You’ll feel better for it.
3. Stop
Prepping for Christmas is a lot of work. It’s easy to overdo it and wear yourself out. Take a day. Stop. Do nothing more than care for yourself for a full 24 hours. It’ll make the days that follow feel much less stressful because you will feel rested and recharged.
4. Let It Go
It’s impossible to please everyone and still stay balanced within yourself. Decide what you can let go of and then do so. Set boundaries for yourself to protect your time and capacity without feeling guilty and delegate tasks when you can.
➡️ Use these steps to create a plan you can stick with – Set Yourself Up for Success This Year
5. Show Gratitude
In the midst of the craziness this time of year, it can be easy to forget how much you have to be grateful for. This might be the perfect time to start a gratitude journal. Gratitude tends to change our attitudes and hearts in the middle of a busy season.
6. Be Creative
Creative expression relieves stress and anxiety. Try a new holiday craft, create something new, or renew a creative hobby that you enjoyed previously. However, you choose to create, have fun with it!
7. Give from the Heart
Choose a charitable organization that speaks to your heart. Give your time or your funds joyfully, without thinking about what else you have to do. Giving from the heart also changes our perspective on what is important, making it easier to get through stressful parts of the year.
8. Love List
Make a list of everyone and everything you love to remind yourself of the love and positivity in your life. You could do this as part of your gratitude journal or as a separate exercise.
🎯 A ready-to-use, customizable tool designed to simplify planning and boost productivity – Achieve Your New Year’s Goals with ClickUp Templates
9. Appropriate Regifting
Not every gift needs to be new and still in the original box. Give something meaningful, and with love, suLoves an extra copy of your favorite book with a special note inside or a beautiful bouquet in a vase you no longer use. You can take clippings from your favorite house plants to share your green thumb. House plants have been shown to improve air quality, reduce stress levels, and boost productivity.
10. Write it Out
Dealing with family during the holidays can lead to a lot of pent-up thoughts and feelings. They don’t all need to be said aloud, but should be expressed. Write them down so you can process them and let them go.
11. Scale Back on Tech Time
With the internet, social media, and smartphones, we’re never really alone. While that can be good, it might be time for a break. If you’re feeling especially stressed, cut down on tech time until after the New Year.
12. Rest
A good nap or mindful downtime can be a great way to reset your energy. Rest can include anything that fills your cup – think of something you truly enjoy doing, and dedicate some time to it over the next few weeks leading up to Christmas. We love to read!
13. Under Plan Your Time
Feel like everyone wants a piece of you? Set up your schedule with plenty of free space so your day can unfold the way it needs to, instead of being nonstop from one thing to the next.
✨ 84% of people feel stressed about home management and upkeep. Here’s how to bring order to the chaos: Technology for Time Management
14. Laughter
You know that person who always makes you laugh? Plan to spend some time chatting with them, either on the phone or over a cup of coffee. Laughter is healing and stress-relieving.
15. Read a Real Book
Ebooks and e-readers are great, but they keep you connected to your tech. Instead, read an actual book with your phone on silent. Choose something that transports you somewhere else, or an old favorite that always makes your heart happy. The right book can give your mind a break from daily worries.
16. Minimize the Decorations
Taking out all the holiday decor, decorating, and then putting it all away is exhausting. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, try decorating with your favorite pieces and leaving the rest in the storage boxes. Your favorite items will stand out more, and you’ll have more time for something else. Instead, make the most of the holiday season with music.
17. Manage the Clutter
A lot of new items enter the home this time of year. For each new thing that comes in, discard something else in that same category. Got a new Christmas sweater? Get rid of one you no longer wear. Buy a new Christmas decoration? Donate an older decoration that you no longer need.
18. Unconventional Self-Care
Massage and bubble baths not your thing? That’s okay! There are many other ways to practice self-care. Find one (or more) that works for you, and include it regularly.
🎁 Take time to honor caregivers this holiday season – Honoring Caregivers This Holiday Season
19. The Power of No
People will ask for things. They always do. But if you’re feeling more overwhelmed due to Holiday prep, you’re allowed to say no. Find a simple phrase you can use, so you feel prepared to say no when you need to. Phrases like “I am not able to…” or “Thanks for thinking of me, but I can’t commit to that right now” are some places to start.
20. Get Outside
Go for a walk, run, or hike in nature. Leave your devices on silent and take time to notice the magic around you. Even a 15-minute stroll around your neighborhood can clear your head and shift your perspective. Fresh air and movement do wonders for both your body and mind.
21. Manage Your Spending
You created a holiday budget for a reason. Respect it, and you’ll avoid the stress of how to pay for overspending later on. January credit card statements can turn holiday joy into financial regret real fast. It’s okay to say no to extra expenses that don’t fit your plan. Track your spending as you go—keep receipts or check your account balance weekly. Staying within your limits means you can enjoy the season without that nagging worry about money.
👉🏻 Look into Financial Gratitude: Boost Your Money Mindset for Better Wellness
22. Decline Opt-In Offers
Whether you shop in-store or online, merchants are always after your email address. Then, they bombard you with emails about sales and new products. These emails are digital clutter. Yes, you can always unsubscribe later, but save yourself the aggravation and opt out in the first place.
23. Give Yourself a Gift
This time of year is very focused on giving gifts to others. You deserve a gift, too! Whether it’s a treat from your favorite coffee shop or a new book, give yourself something, too.
24. Set the Mood
Create a relaxing space for yourself with candles and a cup of tea or coffee. The candles will brighten during the longer periods of winter darkness, helping create a relaxing space.
25. Ease into the Day
Do you hop out of bed and immediately start the “go, go, go” holiday prep routine? Try creating a more relaxing morning routine that makes time for self-care first thing. Even five minutes of setting your intentions for the day will make a big difference.
The holidays don’t have to leave you exhausted and overwhelmed. Pick a few ideas from this list that feel doable for you, and give yourself permission to make your well-being a priority. You can’t pour from an empty cup—taking care of yourself isn’t selfish, it’s necessary.
👉 Want More Expert Tips? Subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter for the latest updates, insights, and valuable resources tailored just for you. Subscribe Now
