11 Easy and Helpful Techniques to Annihilate Holiday Stress in 2024

The holiday season is supposed to be a time of joy, celebration, and connection with loved ones, friends, and colleagues. But let’s be real, the holidays are stressful! For many affected by holiday or Christmas stress, the season can feel more like a marathon of to-do lists, last-minute shopping, and endless obligations professionally and personally. If you’re already feeling the weight of holiday stress in 2024, don’t worry! With a few mindful strategies and practical stress management techniques, you can sail through the season with more peace, presence, and joy.

Here are 11 easy and helpful mental health tips for the holidays to annihilate stress in 2024 and 2025:

#1 Prioritize Holiday Wellness with Self-Care and Daily “Me Time”

The first step to reducing stress for the holiday season is to carve out time for yourself. With all the craziness, it’s easy to forget your own needs. Whether it’s a morning meditation, a walk in the park, or simply taking 15 minutes to enjoy a hot cup of tea, make “me time” a non-negotiable part of your day. You’ll be amazed at how this small act can reset your mind and improve your overall sense of calm this season.

#2 Create a Manageable Holiday Schedule

It’s easy to overcommit during the holidays, whether attending multiple parties, family gatherings, or helping with holiday events. To avoid holiday burnout, learn how to de-stress this season by creating a realistic and achievable schedule. Write down your commitments and decide which ones are truly essential. Say no to events that might stretch you too thin. Remember, declining invitations or delegating tasks is okay to reduce your Xmas anxiety!

#3 Try Mindful Breathing or Meditation

Mindful breathing or short meditation sessions are powerful tools for managing holiday stress. When you feel overwhelmed, focus on your breath for a few minutes. Inhale slowly for four counts, hold for four and exhale for four. This simple technique, called box breathing, is used by Navy Seals and professional athletes to trigger the body’s relaxation response, helping to calm your nervous system and bring your mind back to the present moment.

#4 Simplify Your Gift-Giving

Gift shopping can be one of the most stressful parts of the holidays, especially if you wait until the last minute. To reduce this pressure during the holiday months, simplify your approach. Consider giving experiences (concert tickets, cooking classes, etc.) or meaningful homemade gifts. A handwritten letter or a personalized coupon book can also be a unique and heartfelt gift that doesn’t require hours of shopping or mounds of credit card debt.

#5 Delegate Tasks and Share Responsibilities

The holiday season is meant to be shared, so don’t take on everything yourself. Delegate tasks to family members, friends, or coworkers. If you’re hosting a gathering, ask everyone to bring a dish or contribute to the event somehow. By sharing responsibilities, you decrease your workload, reduce your holiday stressors, and invite others to be part of the fun!

#6 Set Realistic Expectations

Social media and Hallmark movies often portray a picture-perfect holiday season, but real life is rarely flawless. Avoid setting unrealistic expectations to maintain your mental health during holidays. Whether it’s how your home looks, how many gifts you give, or the type of meals you serve, allow yourself to embrace imperfection; the Japanese call this practice wabi-sabi. A little mess, a little chaos, and a little spontaneity are what often make the holidays memorable.

#7 Practice Gratitude Daily

It’s easy to get caught up in the frenzy of holiday planning, but taking a moment each day to reflect on what you’re grateful for can work wonders on your stress levels. Start or end each day by writing down three things you’re thankful for in a gratitude journal, big or small. This simple practice shifts your focus from what you don’t have to what you already have, which can help reduce overwhelming feelings of anxiety, depression, or stress.

#8 Meal Prep for the Holidays

Food preparation can be a major source of holiday stress, especially when you’re hosting! Simplify the process by choosing recipes that can be made ahead of time. Many holiday dishes, like casseroles, baked goods, and desserts, can be prepped the day before. By spreading out the cooking tasks, you give yourself more breathing room and reduce the stress of last-minute kitchen chaos.

#9 Exercise to Release Tension

Exercise is one of the most effective ways to combat stress, so make sure you stay active during the holidays. Even a short walk, a yoga session, or a quick dance party in your living room can help release built-up tension. Exercise boosts your mood and increases endorphins, which are your body’s natural mood elevators.

#10 Limit Your Social Media

While browsing holiday photos and posts can be fun, social media can also be a major source of stress. It’s easy to fall into comparison traps or feel pressured by everyone else’s seemingly perfect holiday celebrations. Set limits on your social media usage, and focus on creating your own holiday memories rather than worrying about how others are spending theirs. Don’t think you can limit your social media usage on your own? Try it with a group of friends, family members, or coworkers, and hold each other accountable. You can also tweak your computer and cellphone settings to limit how much you use social media. You can try additional applications and devices if these methods aren’t working, like Brick, a $50 product that locks you out of specific cellphone apps until you “un-brick” them.

#11 Don’t Forget to Laugh

Laughter truly is the best medicine for stress. Whether watching a funny holiday movie, playing games with family, or simply finding humor in everyday moments, allow yourself to laugh. Laughter releases stress hormones and endorphins, which help you feel more relaxed and connected this holiday season.

Bonus Tip: Remember, You’re Not Alone

The holidays are a time for togetherness but can also be when stress, loneliness, or sadness resurface. Feel free to reach out to others if you’re feeling overwhelmed or disconnected. Sharing feelings with a friend or loved one can make a significant difference. You don’t have to navigate the season alone—there’s no shame in asking for support or seeking professional help if needed.

Be Stress-Free This Holiday Season!

The holidays don’t have to be stressful, and you don’t need to “do it all” to make the season memorable. By embracing a more relaxed, intentional approach and practicing these 11 holiday tips, you can reduce stress and cultivate a more joyful holiday experience in 2024. After all, the essence of the season is connection, not perfection.

So take a deep breath, let go of unrealistic expectations, and enjoy your holidays—on your terms!

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