Tips for a stress-free holiday season.

The holiday season is a beautiful season full of inspiration, wonder, joy, and connection. For some, it can also be a whirlwind of obligations, expectations, and stress. Between shopping, cooking, decorating, and the obligatory events, it is easy to lose ourselves in the chaos and forget to enjoy this special time of year. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s why prioritizing self-care during the holidays is a nonnegotiable appointment on my calendar. You cannot draw water from an empty well or inspiration from a tired Mama. You need to take care of yourself so you can fully enjoy the wonder of the season.

Here are some practical and effective self-care tips to help you navigate the holidays with ease and joy.

1. Plan Ahead to Avoid Last-Minute Stress

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” -Benjamin Franklin

The holidays can feel chaotic if you are unprepared. You do not need to be rigid with your schedule, but you do need to have some parameters in place to protect your well-being.

*Create a schedule for shopping, cleaning, and decorating. One of my favorite tools for this time of year is Trello. I use a premade board called Christmas planner. I can add individual Christmas lists, plan my menu, and add any activities that my family and I want to prioritize.

*Make a budget and stick to it. Nothing is more stressful than waking up on December 26 worried about how you are going to pay off all your credit cards. Plan ahead so that you can participate in online sales like Cyber Saturday or Black Friday.

If make a plan and pace yourself, you can focus on enjoying the season instead of racing against the clock.

2. Set Boundaries and Say “No” When Necessary

Learn to say “no”, not everything is right for the soul.

Your time, energy, and peace of mind are valuable, so protect them!

*Be selective with commitments: It’s ok to decline invitations or step back from traditions that no longer serve you. This can be difficult especially when family members are putting pressure on you, but your immediate family needs to come before the extended family. My husband and I have given up larger family traditions in favor of what was best for us and our children and have created wonderful memories together.

*Communicate your limits: Let loved ones know when you need time to recharge. My morning workouts are a non-negotiable. I go all out during the holidays and will not give up my early mornings with Jesus or my sunrise cardio. I am more peaceful and energized when I make time for both.

Saying no can be an empowering experience. Remember that you teach the world how to treat you and when you honor yourself by protecting your boundaries, you are teaching others to respect you.

3. Prioritize Rest and Relaxation

The holiday hustle can take a toll on your physical and mental health.

“Wisdom is knowing when to have rest, when to have activity, and how much of each to have.” — Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

*Stick to a consistent sleep schedule.

*Dedicate time for relaxing activities like reading, or soaking in a warm tub. Pro Tip: Write these on your calendar and do it at the same time every week. Sunday afternoon is a wonderful time to take an everything bath and a great way to reset for the week.

*Schedule downtime between events.

4. Stay Active

“Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it.” -Plato

As I previously mentioned, my morning exercise is a non-negotiable.

*Take a brisk morning walk to get fresh air or a leisurely evening walk to look at Christmas lights.

*Schedule your workouts and choose activities that are enjoyable and don’t feel like pressure.

5. Practice Mindful Eating and Drinking

“If you don’t love it, don’t eat it, and if you love it, savor it.”
― Evelyn Tribole

Holiday treats are part of what we all look forward to, but excessive treats are not worth the post-holiday stress. Balance is key.

*Savor indulgences mindfully and take your time eating them so that you feel like you have not missed out.

*Limit alcohol and caffeine as they can increase stress and disrupt sleep.

Listen to your body and eat foods that make you feel good.

6. Make time for yourself.

“Solitude helps you find peace. Peace helps you find happiness.” -Maxime Lagacé

Don’t forget to carve out moments for soliitude and reflection.

*Spend time doing something you love, whether it’s journaling, sitting in the quiet with a cup of tea, or watching your favorite holiday movie.

*Treat yourself. Mamas spend so much time serving their families and creating joyful experiences for the family that they often forget to do the same for themselves. Book a massage, have a girl’s night, and take yourself to a quiet lunch after Christmas shopping.

Remember that prioritizing yourself helps you to show up more fully for the people that you love.

The holidays don’t have to be a source of stress. By practicing self-care, planning, and setting realistic expectations, you can create a season full of inspiration, wonder, joy, and connection for your family and yourself. Remember that the greatest gift you can give to your loved ones is presence and it is much easier to be present when you are rested and restored.

Happy Holidays!