The Gift of Me: How to Practice Self-Care During the Holidays

Feeling the holiday stress? This friendly guide is packed with realistic and simple self-care tips to help you protect your peace and actually enjoy the festive season.

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Hey friend!

We see all the picture-perfect holiday movies and social media posts, but the reality is often a marathon of shopping, cooking, travel, and trying to keep everyone happy. The “most wonderful time of the year” can quickly become the most overwhelming time of the year. If you’re feeling the pressure, you are absolutely not alone. The secret to actually enjoying the season isn't to do more, but to instead protect your peace. Self-care during the holidays is a necessity, so think of it as putting on your own oxygen mask before helping others.

Set Your Boundaries: It’s Okay to Say “No”

This is probably the single most important tool in your holiday self-care kit. The season is a magnet for obligations, but remember that "no" is a complete sentence. Do you really need to attend every single party? Can you delegate the mashed potatoes? Setting clear, kind boundaries is essential for managing family dynamics, finances, and time constraints. If an activity or gathering will drain your battery, politely decline or suggest a shortened visit. Your true friends and family will understand that you are prioritizing your well-being.

Protect Your Physical Pillars: Sleep, Food, and Movement

When things get busy, the first things to go are often sleep, healthy eating, and exercise, which are the very things that keep us resilient against stres. Try your best not to ditch the routines that anchor you. Aim for consistent sleep; even if you’re up late, try to go to bed and wake up at roughly the same time. Balance those amazing holiday treats with nutritious meals to keep your energy steady. And remember that "exercise" doesn't have to mean a full gym session. It could just be a ten-minute walk to look at the lights or dancing to your favorite holiday playlist. Movement is one of the best ways to get blood flowing and reduce anxiety.

Manage Expectations: Especially Your Own

The pressure to create a "perfect" holiday can be paralyzing, leading to major disappointment when things inevitably don’t go exactly to plan. Don't chase a picture-perfect image from a commercial. Accept that things will be messy, late, or imperfect, and that is completely okay. Financial stress is a huge trigger for many people, so be realistic: make a budget for gifting and stick to it. Remember that the most meaningful moments often come from time spent together, not expensive gifts or flawless decorations. When you lower your expectations for perfection, you raise your capacity for joy.

Deal with the Emotional Weight: Grief, Loneliness, and Overwhelm

For many, the holidays bring up feelings of grief, loneliness, or sadness, especially if they’ve experienced a recent loss or are far from loved ones. It’s important to acknowledge that it's okay to not feel "holiday cheerful" all the time. Don't bottle up those "messy feelings". Talk to a trusted friend, journal your thoughts, or seek connection in a way that feels safe. If you are grieving, it’s okay to adapt or skip traditions that are painful. Focus on creating new, comforting memories. If you are feeling isolated, volunteering can be a wonderful way to connect with the community and redirect your focus outward.

Practice Presence Over Productivity

In the holiday whirlwind, it’s easy to get sucked into multitasking, like wrapping gifts while scrolling through a shopping list. But doing too many things at once can lead to overload. Take five minutes a day for mindful practice: simply focus on your breathing, pay attention to the taste of your morning coffee, or concentrate fully on the activity you're currently doing. This simple shift grounds you in the present moment and helps quiet the internal "to-do list" panic.

The holiday season is meant to be a time of renewal and connection, not exhaustion. This year, make a conscious choice to prioritize your emotional well-being above the endless holiday doing. Start small: say one "no" this week, carve out 15 minutes of quiet time, or take that 10-minute walk. By prioritizing yourself, you not only protect your energy but also ensure that you have the emotional capacity to truly enjoy the people and moments that make the season special. Give yourself the gift of peace this year.

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For more information, check out these sources:

• The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US and Canada): Call or text 988. This service provides free and confidential support for people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis 24/7.

  
  

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Offers helpful guides on coping with holiday stress and resources for mental health support.

  
  

• The Jed Foundation: Provides comprehensive self-care tips specifically for the holiday season to help manage anxiety and maintain well-being.

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What is the one self-care tip that saves your sanity every holiday season? Share your secret to a peaceful festive time in the comments below.