The holiday season is a time we often correlate with joy, love, and connection, but it can also bring a surge of fatigue, stress, and irritability.

A survey by the American Psychological Association found that a surprising 38 percent of people experience heightened stress during this seemingly joyful time.

A 2021 survey by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) found that three in five Americans feel that the holidays negatively impact their mental health. So, whether we celebrate the holiday season fully or not, it’s important to remember to take care of ourselves amidst this winter whirlwind of emotions.

Despite its promises of joy and good cheer, the holiday season often brings many emotions. Anxiety, stress, dissatisfaction, and sadness are just a few of the negative feelings that can linger beneath the tinsel and glitter. Our homes become overcrowded with family, sentimental memories shoved down resurface, financial strain causes chronic stress, and those obligatory holiday gatherings can trigger panic and exhaustion. This overwhelming atmosphere makes it easy to succumb to stress and anxiety, which can rob us of our joy, turning the holidays from a season we look forward to into one we dread.

Enough is enough! This month can be a time for celebration, family, reflection, self-care, and mindfulness. We must try and enjoy it, regardless of how it may seem.

Here are a few holiday strategies to help you reduce stress, maintain peace of mind, and contribute positively this season:

Holiday Strategy One: Prevent Burnout—It’s Okay to Say No

Let’s face it: many of us feel pressure with every invitation we receive. Remember, “no” is a complete sentence. You don’t need to elaborate on why you can’t attend social or family events. If saying yes jeopardizes your peace of mind, choose to say no. Setting boundaries is not only acceptable; it’s essential for your well-being.

Holiday Strategy Two: Engage, Align, and Connect with Others

Drink in the festive magic by cherishing the time spent with those you care about. Turn off the television, dive into board games, play long cherished albums, and reminisce about those things that fill your heart with gratitude and joy. Share a warm cup of hot cocoa or spiced latte with a friend. Devote moments to committing and deepening your bond with your partner, spouse, or special someone—this includes your pets, too! If you have children, why not involve them in baking or cleaning? This can turn tasks into memories. And if you are in therapy, stay in therapy. The holidays are too overwhelming to go through without a support system. Try to unleash those creative forces to foster meaningful connections.

Holiday Strategy Three: Stay Within Your Limits

This strategy applies to your time, money, psychological readiness, and resources. Resist the urge to compete with others over extravagant gifts or elaborate parties. Remember, the holidays can take on many forms, and the greatest gift you can offer yourself is a peaceful home environment. Shield yourself from the pressures of overspending or entering stressful situations. By safeguarding your mental well-being, you create a space for yourself to grow and appreciate the season’s true spirit.

Holiday Strategy Four: Cultivate Empathy

If the holiday season is challenging for you, you are not alone. It can be challenging for many. It’s a time to embrace the reality of our emotions while letting others enjoy the season uniquely. When faced with unkind behavior, remember that it often stems from their stress and high expectations, not yours. Show kindness and love, knowing that your intent is not to fix their emotions but to embody peace and compassion.

Moreover, it’s vital to extend that compassion to yourself. Acknowledge your feelings of anxiety or sadness and treat yourself with kindness. If you are missing a loved one you have lost, instead of avoiding thoughts of them, honor and celebrate them by getting together with others to treasure their life stories. If those emotions become overwhelming, seek support. Counseling, therapy, or confiding in a trusted friend can illuminate the path to easing your burden.

Holiday Strategy Five: Remain Dedicated

This strategy is essential. It involves casting aside the expectations of family members, friends, work colleagues, social media, and advertisements dictating how your holidays should look and preconceived notions about celebrations, including your own. Remaining dedicated means only focusing on being fully present in the moment. Save precious time comparing your holidays to your or others’ expectations. Instead, engage wholeheartedly in whatever brings you joy.

Holiday Strategy Six: Cherish Your Well-Being

During the holidays, it’s vital to remember the habits that nourish us throughout the year. It’s easy to slip into the routine of skipping workouts, sacrificing sleep, overloading our schedules, indulging in unhealthy foods, and engaging in other behaviors we typically avoid. This can leave us exhausted, irritable, and not our best selves. Prioritizing self-care is not a luxury—something you do when you are less busy—it is a necessity during this busy time.

When feelings of overwhelm or discontent arise, take a moment to prioritize self-care. Embrace the opportunity to work out, create a list of things you’re grateful for, dive into a good book or podcast, or let soothing music wash over you. Say a firm no to events that drain you, and say yes to the ones that bring you joy and fulfillment. And remember to step outside to take in the fresh air, meditate, or engage in whatever makes you feel valued.

Taking care of your mind and body can help you avoid burnout and fully embrace the joy of the holiday season.

If those around you feel stressed, let them think that way, but don’t allow their emotions to influence your own. You possess the power to choose your response to stress and conflict. Opt to avoid comparisons and, instead, relish each moment. Celebrate the season with gratitude and love. Embrace the incredible moments waiting for you this season!

Regardless of how your life looks this holiday season, you can discover joy and serenity in the present. Focus on what you have rather than what you want. Surround yourself with loved ones and commit to doing something daily that nurtures your well-being. Remember, feeling overwhelmed is a shared experience. Be gentle with yourself and take it one moment at a time. You might uncover joy in unexpected places.

Amidst the obligations and financial strains, we can embrace the season with intention and grace. Acknowledging these feelings can reclaim our joy and transform the holidays into meaningful connections and celebrations.

“What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future.” ~ Agnes. M. Pahro

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