Self-Care During the Holidays: More Than Treats and Time Off
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Self-Care During the Holidays: More Than Treats and Time Off
When we think about self-care during the holidays, it often looks like a reward for surviving the season: extra desserts, online shopping, a day off, or zoning out once everything is finally done.
And while those moments of comfort can be meaningful, holiday self-care needs to go deeper—because the holidays often bring more stress, not less.
For many people, this season includes:
Increased family expectations
Financial pressure
Old relational wounds resurfacing
Grief, loneliness, or reminders of loss
A packed calendar with very little downtime
True self-care during the holidays is not about indulgence—it’s about stability, protection, and emotional care.
Holiday Self-Care Is About Regulation, Not Perfection
During the holidays, our nervous systems are often on overdrive. There is more noise, more social interaction, more emotional activation, and less routine.
Self-care during this season looks like:
Protecting your sleep as much as possible
Eating regularly, even when schedules are disrupted
Pausing to breathe and reset when emotions spike
Letting “good enough” be enough
Self-care is about regulating your nervous system so you can move through the season without burning out.
Emotional Self-Care When Feelings Are Heightened
The holidays tend to amplify emotions—joy, sadness, resentment, longing, grief, and anxiety can all coexist.
Emotional self-care may include:
Noticing what the season brings up for you without judgment
Allowing yourself to feel both gratitude and grief
Giving yourself permission to step back when emotions feel overwhelming
Talking to a therapist about family dynamics, triggers, or losses that resurface this time of year
Relational Self-Care: Boundaries Are Essential
One of the most important forms of holiday self-care is relational boundary setting.
This may look like:
Limiting time with family members who are critical or emotionally unsafe
Saying no to events that feel draining or obligatory
Deciding in advance what topics are off-limits in conversation
Leaving earlier than planned to protect your energy
You are allowed to protect your peace, even during the holidays.
Spiritual and Meaning-Based Self-Care
The holidays can also be an opportunity to reconnect with meaning and grounding.
Spiritual self-care might include:
Spending quiet moments in prayer or reflection
Engaging in mindfulness or meditation
Taking walks in nature to reset your body and mind
Creating rituals that feel nourishing rather than performative
These moments of stillness help counterbalance the intensity of the season.
Actionable Self-Care Steps for the Holiday Season
Here are therapy-informed practices you can begin right away:
1. Set a realistic holiday intention
Instead of aiming for a “perfect” holiday, choose one intention such as:
Staying emotionally regulated
Prioritizing rest
Being present rather than pleasing
2. Schedule recovery time
Plan downtime between events—not just after the holidays are over.
3. Create an exit strategy
Before gatherings, decide how long you will stay and what signals tell you it’s time to leave.
4. Practice emotional check-ins
Ask yourself daily:
What am I feeling right now?
What do I need more of today—rest, connection, or space?
5. Use therapy as seasonal support
Therapy can help you process family dynamics, manage grief, and build healthier boundaries during this emotionally charged time.
A Gentle Reminder This Season
Self-care during the holidays is not about doing more—it’s about doing what helps you stay grounded, regulated, and emotionally safe.
You do not have to attend every event.
You do not have to meet every expectation.
And you do not have to abandon yourself to make others comfortable.
So as the season unfolds, I invite you to reflect:
How will you care for yourself this holiday season?