7 Tips For Actually Enjoying the Holidays
7 Tips for Actually Enjoying the Holidays
You deserve more than stress, guilt, and endless to-do lists! The holidays are supposed to be magical — at least that’s what the movies, Instagram, and every commercial would have us believe. But for so many of us, the season feels more like a pressure cooker wrapped in twinkle lights.
Believe me, I get it. For years, I’d break out in stress-induced illness right before Thanksgiving and basically ride that wave straight into the New Year. It took me a long time to realize this wasn’t bad luck or coincidence… it was a stress pattern. You’d think I would have gotten the hint that my body was telling me to lighten up and slow down, but no.
Family conditioning + societal pressures = “PUSH HARDER!”
But once I started digging into the beliefs and expectations driving my stress, everything shifted. Holidays actually became enjoyable — simple, grounded, meaningful — instead of something to white-knuckle my way through.
Here are the biggest stressors most of us face during the holidays (no surprises here):
Money
Over-committing
Time pressure
Unrealistic expectations
Travel
Gift-giving pressure
Comparison (hi, Instagram)
Zero self-care
So… what do we do about it?
Let’s talk about the 7 things that make the biggest difference:
1. Define Your Version of Joy
Not Instagram’s. Not Becky’s. Not what Pinterest says your house “should” look like.
Ask yourself: What actually brings joy to me and my family? What do we want to remember years from now?
Let that guide you. Your holidays don’t need to look like anyone else’s — they just need to feel aligned for you.
2. Take Mindful Pauses (But, like…seriously)
Put down the to-do list for a minute. Step away from social media. Give yourself tiny pockets of stillness — a quiet cup of tea, a few deep breaths, sitting on the couch with your people without multitasking.
Presence is a stress antidote.
3. Boundaries Are Your BFF
You do not have to attend every event, cook every dish, buy all the things, or say yes out of guilt.
Ask yourself: Do I really want to do this? Is this nourishing or draining?
If it’s not a genuine yes, it’s allowed to be a no. Or a “not this year.” Or a “let’s simplify that.”
4. Prioritize Self-Care (Make it a non-negotiable)
You are not a machine. You need rest, joy, and downtime.
Schedule — literally schedule — the things that fill you up: a salt bath, a walk, reading time, stretching, journaling, a morning routine that’s just yours.
When you care for yourself, you show up calmer, steadier, and more present with everyone you love.
5. Nourish Your Body & Spirit
Holiday stress hits differently when you’re sleep-deprived, dehydrated, and living off sugar.
Give your body support:
hydration
enough sleep
herbal teas that calm your nervous system
warm soups that ground you
Your immune system will thank you — and you’ll feel so much better!
6. Create a Budget That Feels Good
Money stress can steal your joy fast!
Create a clear budget and stick to it. One of my favorite ways to keep things simple is the “4 gift rule” for kids:
something they want
something they need
something to wear
something to read
It keeps spending aligned and intentional — without drowning in excess. If all your basic needs are met, no one really needs more stuff. Keep it simple, practical, and meaningful.
7. Redefine Tradition (Believe it or not, you’re allowed to do this)
You don’t have to do things the way they’ve always been done. Traditions aren’t sacred if they’re stressing everyone out.
Try new ideas. Make your own rules. One year, we ditched the turkey and made enchiladas — and honestly, we all loved it.
At the end of the day, it’s the simple, real moments — a warm mug in your hands, the glow of the tree, a shared laugh, a cozy hug — that actually stay with you.
Let yourself create a holiday season that feels calm, meaningful, and true to you. You deserve joy. You deserve ease. You deserve to breathe again.
The magic is in the little things — always.