Holiday Stress?
4 Ways to Prioritize Your Mental Well-Being This Season

The holiday season is upon us, which can mean full schedules and long to do lists. For many people, the holidays bring celebrations and feelings of joy. For others, the holidays are a difficult time.  Whichever camp you fall into, the holidays can contribute to feelings of stress, overwhelm or worry.

Many people set high expectations for themselves - wanting their holiday parties, events, and family dinners to be “just so”. From food to decorations to gifts, the standard some set for themselves is perfection and nothing else will do! 

Attending holiday and family gatherings is a source of anxiety for many. People worry about potential family conflict, about what others may think of them, there’s pressure to impress, that can all make for a very unpleasant experience.

While not everyone’s struggles or sources of stress over the holidays are the same, there are things that you can do to help better manage stress throughout the season.


































Here are 4 tips to help you manage this holiday season: 

Prioritize Self Care

The holidays can easily sweep you away from healthy habits and self care routines. Being aware of this can help you plan ahead. Try scheduling time for self care. It doesn’t have to be complicated or take lots of time -  a short walk outdoors to re-group, a few minutes reading a book,  taking a long shower, putting on your favourite song and dancing in the kitchen. Little things can have a big impact! 

Be Flexible With Yourself

Having high expectations and gunning for perfection can be a recipe for stress, frustration and disappointment. While there’s nothing wrong with aiming for the stars, it is helpful to be flexible with your rules and expectations.

This may look like adjusting traditions to fit your current circumstances or letting go of perfection. Would it be okay if all of the napkins did not match or if the upstairs hallway was not vacuumed perfectly or if you bought pre-made cookies instead of homemade? What concessions can you make to decrease stress and increase joy?

Sometimes we hold high expectations for others or have specific ideas of how we would like events to transpire. While this may be beneficial at times, it can contribute to feelings of stress, frustration or even anger when things don’t meet our expectations or follow our plan.

Just as it is important to be flexible with the expectations we set for ourselves, it is important to be flexible in the expectations we have for others.

This may show up as “should’s or shouldn'ts” towards others behaviours (ex: “They shouldn’t be doing that!” “They should be here by now”). Consider exploring different  perspectives and drawing on important contextual pieces you may be leaving out (ex: they were coming from another Christmas event so may be running a bit behind). Can you be present to the experience that is, rather than sitting in your expectations? 

The holiday season can be a busy time of year with many social obligations, family gatherings, and endless to-do lists. Setting clear boundaries and learning to say no when you're feeling overwhelmed may be particularly important to implement.

Whether it’s turning down an invitation, asking for alone time, or not overcommitting to tasks, respecting your limits is key to protecting your well-being. Remember, it’s okay to prioritize yourself—taking care of your mental health is a gift you can give to yourself and those around you.

It’s easy to get swept up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays and end up feeling stressed, depleted, and overwhelmed but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Setting boundaries, taking time for yourself and staying flexible can help you manage the holidays without burning out.

If you could use some extra support this holiday season, Psychotherapy could be a good option for you. Contact us today to book in a FREE 15 minute virtual consultation with Psychotherapist Jordanne Mulkewich to discuss how psychotherapy could help you.

And remember, holiday stress (and beyond!) you are not alone. Our team is here to support you. 

Jordanne Mulkewich is a Psychotherapist who works with individuals of all ages struggling with low mood, social anxiety, general worry and low self-esteem. She works to empower clients through a strengths-based approach, helping them realize their potential and reach their goals.  Interested in working with Jordanne? Book here.