How to Reduce Holiday Stress & Improve Your Overall Well-Being
The holidays are here! While the season can be filled with fun and joy, it can also be a source of stress. If you’re experiencing it, you’re not the only one: The American Psychological Association reported that in 2023, nearly nine in 10 Americans felt stressed or overwhelmed during the holidays.
When we’re busy, it’s easy to fall back into unhealthy coping mechanisms and bad habits that negatively impact our waistline and well-being. This is why it’s essential to have tools and strategies in place so that you can cope with holiday stress and overwhelm in the best ways possible.
Read on for some ways to reduce holiday stress this season so you can focus on fun and joy.
1. Set Realistic Expectations
Many people feel pressured to create a "perfect" holiday, but perfection is both unrealistic and unnecessary. Decide what matters most to you—whether it’s quality time with family, a favorite tradition, or simply relaxing. Focus on those priorities and let go of less essential tasks or expectations. Communicate openly with family and friends about your plans to help prevent hurt feelings and avoid misunderstandings.
2. Stick to a Budget
Financial strain is one of the biggest and most common holiday stressors. You are not obligated to overspend! Establish a clear budget for gifts, travel, and festivities—and stick to it. Remember, bigger and more expensive is not necessarily better—meaningful gestures often matter more than pricy presents. Consider creating homemade gifts, shared experiences, or thoughtful cards instead of big-ticket items. The process of creating them can be a fun holiday tradition that reduces stress too!
3. Plan Ahead & Stay Organized
Create a detailed schedule for holiday tasks like shopping, decorating, baking, cooking, and attending events. Spread these activities out to help prevent last-minute panic. Use tools like calendars or apps to keep track of deadlines and to-do lists. Staying organized will help you feel more in control and less overwhelmed.
4. Don’t Overcommit
To build on #3, don’t overschedule or commit to every invite that comes your way; overcommitting is a fast track to burnout. The holidays may be filled with events, meals, and social gatherings, but you don’t have to say “yes” to everything. Prioritize commitments that you truly enjoy over those you feel obligated to do. Focus on what you love to do and strive to avoid what you dread. Polite decline unappealing invitations and delegate tasks when your schedule is too full.
5. Eat & Drink Responsibly
Make healthy eating choices to help you avoid overeating or excessive alcohol consumption. Strive for moderation, especially when it comes to holiday meals and events. Do your best to stay within your normal diet routine, drink responsibly, and stay hydrated throughout the season.
6. Make Time for Wellness
Consider giving yourself the gift of time during the holidays—and maybe a spa day too! Take a break from rushing around, shopping, cooking, and cleaning, and make time for yourself. Enjoying just a few minutes of solitude can make a big difference. Set aside time to read a good book, watch an uplifting movie, go for a walk, or even just take a nap. If you can, schedule something indulgent like a massage or a beauty treatment so that you can spend a solid hour or two focusing on nothing else but you!
The holidays may disrupt your routine, but with some mindful tweaks and basic self-care, you can survive and thrive this holiday season! For more health and wellness strategies or to deep dive your mindset, consider booking time with a transformational nutrition and wellness coach like me!
