Navigating the Holiday Hustle: A Guide to Self-Care During Festive Seasons
by Paula Brunning
Counsellor / Parenting Coach / Career Coach
Navigating the Holiday Hustle: A Guide to Self-Care During Festive Seasons
The holiday season, whether it's Christmas, Chinese New Year, or any other major celebration, often brings a whirlwind of activities, emotions, and expectations. While these times are meant to be joyous, they can also be incredibly stressful. This post will explore practical self-care strategies to help you maintain your well-being during these bustling periods.
Let’s start by understanding what contributes to your personal holiday stress. Before diving into self-care strategies, it's crucial to recognize the sources of holiday stress that contribute to your unique situation. There can be a single or multiple sources that include:
Travel arrangements and logistics
Financial pressure from gift-giving and celebrations
Family dynamics and expectations
Overindulgence in food and drink
Disrupted routines and sleep patterns
Social obligations and large gatherings
Which ones tend to contribute to your holiday stress? Acknowledging these stressors is the first step in managing them effectively. Take the time to consider this before planning for how you can best disrupt the stress and manage it effectively.
Prioritizing Physical Well-being
When we are in a place of wellness we can manage better. Different schedules and social events can dent the healthy habits we establish during more consistent times of the year. And while that is understandable, if there is no planning for healthy habits our stress can go unmanaged. So, despite how easy it can be to let our usual health routines slip during the holiday rush, these habits can significantly impact our overall well-being. Here are a few to keep in mind, and yes, they are the standard basics for managing wellbeing.
Stay hydrated: Amid the festivities, don't forget to drink plenty of water. This is especially important if you're consuming alcohol or traveling.
Get moving: Even short bursts of exercise can boost mood and energy levels. Look for opportunities to move even for short periods of time between other commitments. A brisk walk after a large meal or a quick yoga session in your hotel room can work wonders.
Prioritize sleep: Adequate rest is crucial for managing stress and enjoying the festivities. Try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule, even when traveling across time zones, or give yourself permission to nap when needed, so you have a sense of balance and self-care. Learn how to improve your sleep here.
Nourishment: Many people find that food becomes an issue during holiday seasons. Holiday seasons often revolve around elaborate meals and treats. While it's perfectly fine to indulge and enjoy special holiday treats, being mindful about eating can help prevent discomfort and guilt, two things that definitely do not support good wellbeing.
What does Mindful Eating involve?
Practice portion control. Fill your plate with variety and not to the brim.
Savor each bite and eat slowly. This can be coupled with thoughtful conversations that can also be a centerpiece of get togethers, or mindfully balancing sips of water between mouthfuls.
Balance indulgences with nutritious options.
Listen to your body's hunger and fullness cues. Check in with yourself, by practicing a body scan approach, before (re)filling your plate.
With our Physical Care priorities set, let’s turn to tips for emotional and mental self-care.
Emotional and Mental Self-Care
Begin with setting realistic expectations. One of the biggest sources of holiday stress is the pressure to create "perfect" experiences. Remember:
It's okay if everything isn't picture-perfect
Focus on creating meaningful moments rather than flawless events
Be flexible and adaptable when things don't go as planned
There are so many moving parts to celebrations, and as people do, they will be humanly imperfect, including your guests, family members and you. Being able to look for the moments of fun and connectedness rather than an idealized version of events enables you to pivot when the script shifts. Having self-awareness around expectations can move you through challenges or disappointments more quickly and recover to bring your focus and attention back to the priorities you are looking for.
Managing Family Dynamics
Family gatherings can be a source of joy, but also tension. If you choose to attend events with others that may have challenging attitudes or actions, then be mindful of what you can control which is your own feelings and behaviors. To navigate these situations:
Set clear boundaries about topics, time commitments, and personal space.
Have an exit strategy or a quiet space to retreat to if needed
Practice empathy and patience, remembering that others may be stressed too
Having thought about these points ahead of time may not provide a super smooth response if tense moment arise, however, they will allow you to have options, including permission to do something that supports you rather than feeling stuck.
Maintain Personal Rituals
Inevitably, there will be difficult moments at some point. Have personal rituals or activities that ground you, be sure they are accessible and choose to use them regularly. These are some suggestions that people often turn to and are travel-friendly:
Morning meditation or journaling
A quiet cup of tea before bed
Regular check-ins with a close friend
These small rituals can provide a sense of normalcy and calm. What things help you feel grounded and supported? Be sure to include them.
Since gift-giving is so embedded in the holiday season, let’s also consider Financial Self-Care.
Financial Self-Care
The gift-giving aspect of many holidays can put a strain on finances. To mitigate this stress be forward thinking so this area is addressed in your planning:
Set a realistic budget and stick to it
Consider homemade gifts or ‘time with’ experiences instead of material items
Communicate with family and friends about gift expectations
Remember that your presence is often the best present
Learning from this experience myself, my own family draws names so there is no need to gift to everyone. Helping to prepare dinners, offering to organize something or providing appreciated ‘services’ such as taking care of a pet or child are ways that can contribute without financial hardship. Recommended ideas include creating personalised playlists, sharing favorite recipes, creating a voucher for ‘Game and tea time for two’ or other treasured activities can make the receiver feel special without spending loads.
And how about managing the travel that may be part of being able to spend time with loved ones over the holiday season?
Travel Self-Care
Holiday travel can be particularly stressful, especially when there are busy transports spaces and weather considerations to navigate. Here are some strategies to make it more manageable:
Plan ahead: Book travel and accommodations early to avoid last-minute stress
Pack smart: Include comfort items like a favorite snack or a cozy scarf.
Build in buffer time: Allow extra time for delays and unexpected situations
Stay connected: Keep important contacts and documents easily accessible
Practice patience: Remember that everyone is trying to reach their loved ones
Having planned as best you can, and with your comfort items accessible let’s consider how self-care looks for those social obligations we are heading into.
Navigating Social Obligations
The holiday season often comes with a flurry of social invitations. To avoid burnout:
It's okay to say no to some invitations
Prioritize events that are most meaningful to you
Set time limits for gatherings when possible
Set boundaries on social media use to avoid comparison and FOMO
Utilize video calls to connect with loved ones who are far away, or to connect with those you might need to send regrets to for in person events
Balance social time with alone time for recharging
Recharging looks different for everyone and can be more challenging if you are not in your home space, or near your usual gym. Mobile-friendly ideas include incorporating mindful ness practices that help you focus on the present and let go of ‘should be’ judgements:
Deep breathing exercises: Take a few minutes each day for deep, intentional breathing
Mindful observation: Take a moment to fully observe and appreciate holiday decorations, music, or traditions
Gratitude practice: Reflect on what you're thankful for each day
Make use of apps for meditation, sleep tracking, or other tips to reduce stress
Set boundaries on social media use to avoid comparison and FOMO
Despite all of this, it is possible to experience times when you’re feeling down even in the midst of all the celebrations. If you find yourself dealing with holiday blues, feeling sad or lonely, remember it is okay to feel a range of emotions during this time. It can be helpful to step towards others by volunteering or participating in community events to feel more connected. It is also advisable to reach out to friends of family to be with and share your feelings. Know you have options and don’t need to be alone with this. Consider speaking with a mental health professional. Because it is healthy to seek support.
The Gift of Self-Compassion
Perhaps the most important aspect of holiday self-care is practicing self-compassion. Remember:
It's okay to make mistakes or feel overwhelmed
You don't have to meet everyone's expectations
Your feelings and needs are valid
Taking care of yourself enables you to better care for others
As we navigate the upcoming holiday seasons, it's crucial to remember that self-care isn't selfish—it's necessary. By prioritizing our well-being, we're better equipped to enjoy the true spirit of these festive times: connection, gratitude, and joy.
The holidays are a time for celebration, but they shouldn't come at the cost of your physical, emotional, or mental health. By implementing these self-care strategies, you can navigate the season with more ease and enjoyment. Remember, the greatest gift you can give yourself and your loved ones is your presence—fully rested, centered, and ready to create meaningful memories together.
About the author
Paula is a compassionate counsellor, parenting coach, and career coach with over 25 years of international experience. She has worked with diverse cultural backgrounds, supporting individuals, families, and communities. At The Counselling Place Singapore, Paula specializes in global mobility, Third Culture Kids, and cross-cultural identity. Her expertise extends to addressing anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and life transitions.
With experience working with children, teenagers, and adults, Paula offers a safe and supportive environment. Her humanistic approach focuses on empowerment, personal growth, and solution-focused strategies, helping clients navigate challenges and achieve their goals. Paula's warm and non-judgmental demeanor puts clients at ease.