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Are the holidays the happiest or the most stressful time of the year?
The verdict is in...holiday stress is real.
Although there are many reasons to love the holiday season and time spent with family, reuniting with old friends, and enjoying good food, research has shown that the holidays are indeed the most stressful time of the year.
A Sleepopolis survey (2024) revealed that 81% of people are more stressed during the holiday season while 20% feel more stressed about the holidays this year than last year.
I know you won’t be surprised to learn that studies have shown that holiday stress tends to be felt at higher levels by women. We are often in charge of the holiday celebrations, planning and preparing elaborate meals, decorating the home, and shopping for gifts for, and from, the family. Add that to the already long list of holiday stressors, including:
Increased financial demands.
Dealing with family dynamics
Long lines everywhere
Travel rush and travel delays.
Political topics at family gatherings
Juggling schedules
Traffic
Work and personal deadlines
Less sleep
Less natural light
A feeling that you didn’t accomplish what you wanted to accomplish during the year.
Increased stress levels can lead to stress eating, irritability, loss of sleep, and less enjoyment of the holiday season. Plus, it can weaken your immune system, increase your cortisol levels, and cause high blood pressure, among a whole host of other issues.
No one wants that. The secret is to go into the season with the awareness of the potential for stress, take action to mitigate the risk for stress, and take conscious care of your well-being. Here are 12 ways to beat holiday stress:
Enjoy the holiday meal experience, without worrying about calories.
Eating with loved ones and socializing is an important part of your overall well-being, sense of belonging, and social wellness. Focus on savoring the food and the experience of the gathering as a whole.
Get your walks or exercise routine in during the earlier part of the day.
The holidays don’t mean you have to take a break from getting in some exercise. Here are some ideas:
Get in a run, walk, or other exercise activity in the earlier part of the day so you can get soak in some natural light and enjoy the rest of the day’s festivities.
Make going for a walk a family activity. You could walk around the neighborhood looking at the lights together, instead of driving. On another night, you could play a game of “I Spy” with the family around the neighborhood. Dress the dog up in a reindeer costume and walk around the neighborhood or town. You get the picture!
If you’re going out of town, check to see if your gym has a location nearby or sign up for a month of ClassPass so you can visit local fitness studios.
Play games with movement or host a family holiday dance party.
Skip political conversations.
We just had an election, and politics will be on everyone’s mind. Unfortunately, politics can bring up negative feelings and cause stress. To keep stress away, consider a family agreement to keep politics off the topics roster. Alternatively, you could choose to discreetly not participate or move to another room or conversation. The goal isn’t to make a statement, it is to avoid a stressful situation.
Take time for yourself.
Being around family and the masses at the malls and airports during the holidays can be a lot. Make sure to take time for yourself to refuel, recenter, and re-energize so you are refreshed and ready to fully enjoy the holiday season.
Decide to eat well during the holiday season with some easy swaps, including:
Choose colorful fruits and vegetables instead of colorful candy and sweets.
Get creative with mocktail options for your cocktail selection.
Choose sparkling water or unsweetened teas instead of sugary sodas.
Opt for dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate.
Come up with some of your own healthy swaps!
Take time off and disconnect from work.
Taking days off of work isn’t easy when you are a business owner, but it is absolutely necessary. As an entrepreneur, you have a whole host of additional responsibilities and potential stressors that can impact your overall well-being.
Taking time off to recharge isn’t only beneficial for your health and wellness, it is also a productivity and performance booster.
Create a budget and get creative with gifts from the heart and add to the well-being of your loved ones.
Finding the perfect gift for someone can be stressful. Whether it’s your partner, bestie, or your siblings and their kids, gifts that enhance their well-being will have a positive impact beyond the holidays. Remember, more expensive doesn’t mean more valuable.
Here are some examples:
Hobby-related classes for your siblings (e.g. flower arranging, archery, or painting classes)
Tickets for overnight at the museum or the zoo for your kids and/or nieces and nephews.
A joint wine/painting/etc. class for you and your bestie.
A family album with a collection of pictures of you and your kids, and your partner’s family with letters from each family member letting them know how much they are loved.
If your partner or bestie loves to cook, an apron with a funny or heartwarming family/pet/kids picture on it. Or a cooking class.
Signing up for pickleball or other new activity with your partner.
A ClassPass membership for your bestie.
A local, staycation, or unique activity your partner would love or like to try, such as:
Charter boat fishing excursion
Zip-lining
ATV adventure
Hot-air balloon add-on to your upcoming trip
Campground reservations at a bucket list national park
Airstream, tiny house, treehouse, or other cool rental
To keep stress levels at a minimum, start your holiday gift brainstorming and shopping early.
Have fun.
Look for wholesome ways to have fun with your family and friends. Bring out the Christmas Bingo or Pictionary, have an ugly sweater party, wear matching PJs, or make Christmas cookies together.
Breathe.
Crazy uncle says something crazy at the dinner table…Breathe. Long lines at the grocery store…Breathe. Travel plans delayed…Breathe.
When you feel yourself reacting or getting tense, breathe and take a minute to just be in the moment. Get present to your body and the physical things around you. Look for beauty or humor in your experience, consider that the delay may be for your protection, or that you now have extra moments to get present to the true reason for the holiday season.
Give yourself a gift.
Think of a gift for yourself that would feel nurturing and loving, and different. In other words, think outside the box on this one. Gift yourself something you wouldn’t normally get. Mull it over. You’ll know it’s the right gift when you hit it.
Start a daily gratitude practice.
While the holiday season can be stressful for so many reasons, it is also the perfect time to begin your gratitude practice. It will keep you grounded and present.
You can use a gratitude journal or open a new document on Google Docs or on your tablet. The important thing is to get started today.
Check out the array of gratitude journal options on Amazon* here.
Treat yourself to a week of self-care for a reset.
Download The Ultimate 7-Day Self-Care Reset & Wellness Starter Kit to decompress and de-stress after the holiday week.
In the 17-page Kit, you’ll find a 7-day calendar of self-care activities, meditation, and some journaling pages.
The holiday season doesn’t have to be defined by stress. Remember to breathe, laugh, and savor the present moment. By making intentional choices to prioritize your well-being, you'll transform this holiday season from the most stressful time of the year to your happiest holidays, yet.
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Vickie Reine | Entrepreneur & Wellness Coach
I work with women entrepreneurs to create happier, healthier, & wealthier lives, starting today.
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