Simple ways to practice self-care this holiday season

The holidays are a time for family, gratitude, and a break from work and school. But, for many people, it can also be the most stressful time of the year. 

The pressure to find the “perfect” gift and the scramble to fit in family and work responsibilities before the end of the year can be a lot to balance. And, for people who don’t have family or friends to spend the holidays with, loneliness during what’s supposed to be the “happiest time of the year” can be just as stressful.  

Finding self-care strategies that work best for you during this time can be crucial to get through the holidays. While stress may still arise, self-care and therapy can help take the edge off. 

Create a holiday self-care plan

The best way to get through the holidays with as little stress as possible is to be prepared. It can help to identify things that tend to stress you out, like Christmas songs or a particular family member. First, make a list of the people, places, and activities that add extra stress to your life. Then, think of ways you can avoid or minimize interactions with them. 

For example, you and your cousin don’t get along. But they’re always invited to your family’s annual holiday party. Instead of repeating prior years’ arguments, you can plan to mingle with other family members and keep your conversations with your cousin light and short.  

It can also help to create a holiday self-care plan with someone you trust, like a friend or therapist. This can make it more enjoyable, and the other person can give you feedback on your plan. 

Other ways to incorporate self-care going into the holidays include:

• Making a list of people you enjoy being around: Even if you can’t hang out in person, make an effort to call them up for a phone or video catch up. Spending time with people you love can help decrease cortisol levels. 
• Spending time with animals: Animals have a particular healing touch. Even if you don’t own a pet or know anyone who does, you can volunteer at an animal shelter or pet clinic. 
• Prioritizing physical touch: Being touched can help you cope with stress. Ask close friends or family members for a hug. Or, if this feels too vulnerable or isn’t accessible, you can schedule a manicure or massage. 
• Spending less money this holiday season: Around 58% of U.S. adults cite financial concerns as a source of stress during the holidays, according to a 2023 survey. Instead of buying one gift for everyone in your family, suggest a new tradition, like Secret Santa or Yankee Swap.
• Choosing the parties you most want to attend: If overscheduling yourself during the holidays stresses you out, prioritize the events that are most important to you. This way, you can spend your energy doing the things you enjoy. 
• Prioritizing nutrition and rest: Healthy meals and good sleep can help you feel more at ease during stressful times, like the holidays.  

Self-care activities to pack for holiday travels

Traveling over the holidays can introduce its own set of stressors. Worrying about making a connection in the airport or meeting your partner’s parents for the first time can add to worries you might already feel.

Activities can help take your mind off “what-if” scenarios that might be spinning around your head during your travels. 

Here are some self-care activities to pack before you leave home:

• Stress ball or fidget spinner: Either of these objects can help you offload anxiety while also offering a distraction. 
• Crosswords or Sudoku puzzles: It can be easy to ruminate, which can contribute to depression or anxiety or worsen other mental health conditions. Instead, it can be helpful to distract yourself with fun mental challenges, like a crossword or Sudoku puzzle.
• Your favorite book: It can help to get lost in your favorite book or a new one you’re looking forward to. This can help get your mind off any stressful or anxious thoughts.
• Adult coloring books: Coloring books aren’t just for children. Adult coloring books can remind you what it’s like to be a kid and help your brain relax. 
• Diamond painting: Diamond painting is like painting by numbers but with “diamonds” (rhinestones and beads). It gives you a chance to relax and engage your hands as you create colorful images or “paint” them onto functional objects, like glasses cases or suncatchers.

Reclaim peace with post-holiday self-care

You might still feel stressed after the holidays. This can happen because of the stress that can accumulate during this time. The holidays can also demand a lot of energy, and that can leave you feeling exhausted. But through a self-care routine, there are ways to find a balance after the holidays.

For example, if your social battery was tested with endless holiday parties, limit your social interactions for a while. It could help to instead try mindfulness practices, like yoga, deep breathing, or just focusing on an object for five minutes.

If possible, try to ease back into your work responsibilities. It can be jarring to hit the ground running if you took a few days off from your job to spend time with friends and family. Know that you won’t always get everything done on your to-do list, and that’s OK. 

It can also be helpful to continue some of the same self-care strategies you adopted during the holidays. If you learned that being with animals calmed you down, for example, it could be worth continuing. 

Find care with Rula

The holidays can take a toll on your mental well-being, putting more stress on you during what’s supposed to be a joyous time of year. Know that it’s OK if you need extra support. There’s help available to come up with a self-care plan that works for you. 

This is where Rula comes in. With our extensive network of over 10,000 therapists, you can find one who accepts your insurance and is compatible with you. And you can schedule an appointment via live video for as soon as tomorrow.

Find a therapist with Rula