Embrace Joy, Not Stress: Your Ultimate Guide to Self-Care During the Holiday Season
As December rolls in, bringing with it the crisp air, twinkling lights, and the scent of pine, our thoughts naturally turn to the holiday season. The festive period is upon us, a time often associated with warmth, joy, and togetherness. Yet, for many, it can also become a whirlwind of endless tasks, social obligations, and mounting stress. This year, I want to talk about something profoundly important yet often overlooked amidst the holiday rush: self-care. One of the most invaluable lessons I’ve learned recently is how to truly show myself genuine self-care.
There’s a common misconception that self-care, or self-love, is synonymous with selfishness, or that it must be an extravagant, glamorous, and expensive affair—think lavish spa days, extensive retail therapy, or luxurious getaways. This narrow view often leads us to believe that self-care is an unattainable luxury, out of reach for most of us navigating daily life. However, I’m delighted to share that my understanding has shifted dramatically; it’s quite the opposite. True self-care comes in myriad forms, and at its core, it’s simply about extending the same kindness, love, and attention to ourselves that we so readily offer to our dearest friends and family.
This foundational understanding of self-care involves ensuring we get adequate sleep, refraining from overworking ourselves, nourishing our bodies with timely meals, recognizing our limits and stepping back when we’re pushing too hard, or even the simple yet powerful act of saying “no” to an activity that doesn’t align with our well-being. Self-care is not just important; it is absolutely crucial and deeply intertwined with self-love. A significant realization for me has been this: if I am not at my best for myself, I cannot possibly be at my best to genuinely help and support others. My capacity to give stems directly from my capacity to nurture myself.
Especially during the holiday season, the significance of self-care amplifies exponentially. The festive period, while meant to be a time of love, cheer, and blessings, can quickly spiral into a period of exhaustion, resentment, and unease if we’re not mindful. The relentless pace, the pressure to create perfect moments, and the sheer volume of tasks can be overwhelming. My aim is to help you reconnect with the true spirit of the holidays by offering five practical and empowering ways to practice and prioritize self-care this season.
This curated list serves as a powerful reminder for me to truly savor the holiday spirit and cherish precious moments with loved ones. The past year has been incredibly busy and fulfilling, and it’s been quite some time since I last took a proper break. This year, I plan to gift myself nearly two full weeks off during the holidays. For me, this extended period of rest and rejuvenation is the ultimate gift, allowing me to fully immerse myself in my favorite holiday traditions and recharge my mind, body, and spirit. I wholeheartedly encourage you, if circumstances allow, to also grant yourself the gift of truly enjoying this special season.
These five recommendations are not only remarkably easy to integrate into your routine but are also absolutely vital for ensuring you genuinely experience and enjoy the holiday season rather than just enduring it. Wishing you joyous holidays and a very Merry Christmas when it arrives!
5 Essential Ways to Prioritize Self-Care During the Holidays
1. Place Yourself at the Top of Your To-Do List
I’ve deliberately reordered this list to position this point at the very top, as I believe it is the most critical. It’s imperative to remember that if you are not operating at your best for yourself, you simply cannot be at your best to offer help, love, and support to others. When I find myself depleted—whether it’s from overworking, taking on too many responsibilities, or neglecting my sleep (or, as often happens, a combination of all three)—I know with certainty that I won’t be able to genuinely assist anyone. In fact, I might even channel my inner Grinch! Making yourself your number one priority isn’t selfish; it’s foundational. Ensure you prioritize your sleep, regular and nutritious meals, moments of relaxation, and inner peace above all else. Resist the urge to say “yes” to every single activity, only to find yourself miserable and exhausted throughout them. It is absolutely acceptable to say yes to what brings you joy, but it is equally, if not more, important to confidently say “no” when something threatens your peace and well-being. Setting these boundaries is an act of profound self-respect.
2. Dedicate Time to Express Gratitude
This point is a very close second in importance to prioritizing yourself. Whenever I feel a sense of unease or begin to spiral into negative thoughts, I lean into the wisdom of Gabrielle Bernstein and “focus on what is thriving.” The negative thought loops in our minds can be incredibly persistent and difficult to break, but consciously shifting our focus to areas of abundance and positivity can be remarkably effective in pulling us out of their grip. Taking a moment to pause, reflect, and genuinely thank the universe for all the blessings in my life invariably makes me feel SO much better. This practice also powerfully redirects my focus back to feelings of love, happiness, and contentment, rather than allowing me to dwell on stress, frustrations, and minor mishaps. I highly recommend writing down a list of everything you are grateful for and placing it somewhere you will see it frequently—perhaps on your bathroom mirror, by your bedside, or even on your phone’s lock screen. And remember, gratitude isn’t just for material possessions; extend it to people, cherished qualities, intangible blessings like good health or meaningful relationships, and even enriching experiences. Cultivating this awareness of your blessings will undoubtedly keep your spirit light, joyful, and deeply appreciative throughout the holiday season and beyond.
3. Acknowledge You Can’t Do It All – and Be Okay With That
This is a profound lesson I am still actively learning, and it is exceptionally crucial for navigating the holiday season without burnout. It often feels as though the moment November begins, our to-do lists inexplicably stretch a mile long, and we become utterly overwhelmed with an avalanche of activities. “Thanksgiving prep here! Christmas shopping there! Holiday party on this date, another festive gathering squeezed in between several other seasonal events!” The demands can become truly insane. Trust me on this: enlist help. Whether it’s simply asking a friend to lend a hand with decorating your tree, or making the conscious decision not to prepare every single dish from scratch for your holiday feast, accepting assistance is a game-changer. These are the HOLIDAYS! We all deserve to genuinely enjoy them, not just survive them. Moreover, asking for help can transform stressful tasks into wonderful opportunities to bond with family and friends, bringing you closer together. When the burden isn’t solely on your shoulders, you gain the freedom to relax and savor the season. Here are some simple, practical ways you can lighten your load and get help during the holiday season:
- **Utilize Store Services:** Allow department stores to professionally gift wrap your presents. This small outsourcing can save you hours of tedious work and stress.
- **Host a Collaborative Baking Session:** Instead of baking all your holiday cookies alone, invite friends and family over for a fun, festive baking party. Many hands make light work, and it doubles as a wonderful social gathering.
- **Delegate at Work (If Applicable):** If your professional life intensifies during this season, consider hiring temporary assistance—whether it’s a virtual assistant, a college student seeking extra work, or even delegating tasks to team members. Distributing the workload can prevent professional burnout from spilling into your personal holiday time.
- **Opt for a Potluck:** For your holiday party, instead of shouldering the entire responsibility of cooking and preparation, organize a potluck. Not only does this significantly reduce your stress, but it also creates a diverse and delicious spread contributed by everyone, fostering a wonderful sense of community.
4. Designate at Least One Day Just for Yourself
Amidst all the hustle and bustle, the constant demands and social engagements, setting aside dedicated time to simply breathe and be alone is absolutely crucial for maintaining your sanity and well-being. This doesn’t imply locking your family members in a closet or abandoning your responsibilities! Rather, it involves clearly communicating to everyone that you need this specific day, or even just a few hours, entirely to yourself. Use this precious time to engage in activities that genuinely replenish your spirit: draw yourself a luxurious bath, practice meditation to calm your mind, get lost in your favorite book, flow through a gentle yoga sequence, embark on a serene walk in nature, enjoy a peaceful lunch alone, or indulge in any activity that allows you to fully embrace “me time” and truly relax. I wholeheartedly plan to do this on one of my days off, armed with my favorite cup of comforting tea, a stack of new books I’ve been eager to read, and simply lounging on the sofa by the twinkling Christmas tree. Even if a full day isn seems unattainable, commit to dedicating at least a few uninterrupted hours to your personal rejuvenation. These moments of solitude are not selfish; they are essential for your mental and emotional resilience.
5. Resist Getting Caught Up in the Holiday Madness
This point cannot be stressed enough! Believe me, it is incredibly easy to get swept away by the overwhelming madness that often characterizes the holiday season. I vividly recall a day during a Thanksgiving trip where I became so utterly overwhelmed by the sheer chaos that I skipped two meals and was perilously close to a complete meltdown. It was simply too much—rushing frantically up and down amidst thousands of other equally frantic people. To mitigate this, do your absolute best to maintain your established morning routine. Your mental clarity and emotional stability depend on it. For me, this means waking up and prioritizing breakfast, followed by some yoga and meditation to center myself before the day’s demands begin. Additionally, make it a priority to purchase holiday gifts for your loved ones as EARLY as possible. This proactive approach will save you an immense amount of time, effort, and stress during the peak holiday rush. Imagine the peace of mind knowing your shopping is done, allowing you to genuinely enjoy Christmas Eve at home, serenely sipping hot cocoa by the flickering lights of the tree, rather than battling crowds or stressing over last-minute errands.