Holiday stress setting in? 6 simple ways to manage stress and enjoy the season

The holiday season is something most people start looking forward to long before the Halloween candy has gone stale. For many, though, holiday stress sets in and it quickly turns into a season that’s a lot more fun to anticipate than actually experience.

By shifting your mindset and keeping up with a few simple healthy habits (yes, it’s possible even during the holidays), you can take better care of yourself—and enjoy all the joy the most wonderful time of the year has to offer.

Here are six ways you can make this time of the year merry and bright.

Why holiday stress happens

The holidays are supposed to be a time of joy, family and celebration. But for some, the season can bring a surprising amount of holiday stress. Understanding why holiday stress happens is the first step in overcoming it.

So, what makes the holidays such a stressful time of year? Here are just a few factors:

• Expectations: We often place pressure on ourselves to create perfect experiences, from decorating the house to preparing elaborate meals or taking flawless family photos. All that pressure adds up, and it’s easy to find yourself stressed about nailing every little detail.
• Financial stress: With the expenses of gift-giving, travel, hosting and more, many people feel extra anxious about money during the holidays.
• Disrupted routines: Sleep schedules, work-life balance and healthy habits often take a backseat during the holidays, disrupting routines that typically keep you grounded.
• Loneliness or loss: Difficult emotions often surface during the holidays as we grieve the loss of loved ones or long to be with far-away family or friends.
• Family conflict: No family is without at least a little bit of drama. With everyone thrown together in tight quarters during the holidays, family conflict (or the anticipation of it) can add to the stress you’re feeling.
• Travel: As fun and exciting as it is, all the planning and packing involved in traveling also adds to your to-do list. Some find it stressful to be away from home or worry about navigating travel hiccups.

Understanding these common triggers can help you spot stress before it takes over—and take steps to manage it. After all, the goal is to enjoy the season, not just survive it.

6 ways to manage stress during the holidays

While it’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed by holiday stress, there are simple ways to take control and protect your well-being. From small daily habits to setting realistic expectations, here are easy ways to manage stress during the holidays.

1. Set realistic expectations

Your celebration might not look like a scene out of “White Christmas” or the latest trend on TikTok. Trying to put up the perfect decorations or prepare a perfect meal will only add stress to what should be a joyful season.

Done is better than perfect. Let go of the pressure to create a perfect holiday experience and relax and enjoy the moment.

Focus on your core values and personal relationships by spending time with loved ones and creating happy memories. Remember when you and your brother spent all afternoon building a fort of blankets, pillows and chairs? Or when your parents gave you that big cardboard box that turned into a castle, a house, a sled? No one will remember the wrapping paper or color coordinated decorations.

Be present in the moment and enjoy what’s in front of you. No one will know that delicious sweet potato pie came from the grocery store. It still satisfies that eye hunger and heart hunger.

2. Ignore social media

One of the biggest sources of stress in the modern world is social media, and this is even more apparent during the holiday season. Seeing all those picture-perfect images of other people's holiday celebrations can make you feel like you're not measuring up.

But it's important to remember that those images are often carefully curated and don't reflect the reality of most people's lives. No one shows you the video of the blender exploding or the lumpy gravy being poured down the drain.

The antidote to “not-enoughness” is to practice gratitude. Remind yourself of three things you’re grateful for every day. It could be as simple as being thankful that you were able to see another sun today.

3. Find your happy place

There’s a lot to get done during the holiday season, and it’s easy to get swept up in the to-do lists and your busy social calendar. You may feel like you don’t have time to slow down and actually have fun!

Make a list of 20 things that bring you joy, and every day do one thing on the list. It might be taking the dog for a walk, a hot bath, spraying a soothing lavender scent on your pillow before bed or snuggling up with some hot cocoa and a good book.

If you have a hobby, don’t neglect it. Engaging in a creative act can help you relax and bring insight into a concern or conflict.

Your family and friends will get the best version of you if you make time to fill your own cup with what makes you happy.

4. Prioritize

Trying to do it all and please everyone is going to leave you feeling exhausted and frazzled. Instead, focus on aligning the activities with your core values.

Ask yourself: How will doing this holiday activity help you? How will it help your family? How will it help your community?

5. Muévanse

When you’re stressed, changing your physicality can change your mood.

The type of physical activity that prevents or relieves stress is not nearly as rigorous—or time-consuming—as those types needed to lose weight or “get in shape.” It can be as simple as standing up every couple of hours, doing a few stretching exercises or moving your body to your favorite dance song.

Movement is a great way to relieve tension as it can give your brain a hit of dopamine, the feel good hormone.

6. Find connection

Human beings are tribal in nature and thrive on connection. Holidays can be a stressful time as they bring out feelings of loneliness for those who are ill and unable to travel, and those who don’t have family nearby.

Volunteer at a local charity, such as serving Thanksgiving dinner at the local food pantry, or attend a holiday event in your community, such as a 5k run or walk. Write a letter of thanks to someone. Read a book or sing some carols for elderly people in a nursing home.

And even if you can't be together in person, a phone call or video chat or a simple text can help you connect with your tribe.

Less stress, more joy this holiday season

This time of year can be hectic, but a little planning and self-care during the holidays go a long way. By recognizing your stress triggers and making small mindset shifts, you can enjoy the season with more calm, joy and connection.

Finding it difficult to manage your stress? Speak to a doctor.