Merry Stressmas!
I don’t know about you, but for me December has come so quickly this year! For many of us, the holidays come with more than just presents and Christmas cheer. Sometimes it’s work obligations ramping up, sometimes it’s demanding family or friend get togethers that drain us, or maybe it’s the lack of sunlight and inches of snow. No matter what stress this winter season brings to your life, it’s important to stay in tune with ourselves and be aware of our stress to avoid burnout. Burnout, or “a state of emotional, mental, and often physical exhaustion brought on by prolonged or repeated stress” (Psychology Today, 2025), can easily sneak up on us if we take on too much stress.
The American Psychological Association says that, “While nearly half of U.S. adults (49%) would describe their stress levels during the traditional U.S. holiday season between November and January as “moderate,” around two in five (41%) said their stress increases during this time compared with other points in the year” (2023). Personally, I find this ironic. It’s almost comedic to imagine most of us walking past jolly grinning Santas and hearing “It’s the most wonderful time of year!” while stressed and drained on the inside.
It’s understandable that some of these stressors may be unavoidable. But if you can, please take some time to check in with yourself this season and use some of these tips to help manage your stress.
1.) Pick which plates can fall, and which can’t. When it comes to stress, I sometimes picture a waiter who carries a bunch of plates, something like this (bear with me here!)
The waiter’s muscles are sore, and the ceramic tinks together as the plates wobble. If we imagine each thing that brings you stress as a plate, how many plates are you carrying? If you’re feeling tired, sore, and like you can’t bear the weight anymore, ask yourself which plates are worth dropping. We are human beings, not robots. We all have capacities and limits for stress, and maybe dropping a few plates here and there is better than slipping and letting all the plates crash.
2. Delegate and pace yourself. Make a plan. Waiting until the last minute never helps anybody and leaving stress for later can make burnout worse. My recommendation is lists, lists, LISTS. Jot down all the people you have to buy presents for. Ask your family member to host instead this year. Delegating extra tasks (extra plates) can help balance the load and make your weight lighter.
3. Mitigate drama and conflict. Set hard boundaries with difficult family members. Say no if needed. No matter how bad Aunt Mildred wants you to attend midnight mass this year, you need to prioritize your own needs as well. Being mindful of our own reactions, especially during time with family, friends, or loved ones we don’t see regularly, can help you to feel less stressed, and save yourself an argument.
4. Take care of yourself. Yeah, yeah. I know it’s corny coming from a therapist. But self-care can be a very powerful tool and way to avoid chronic stress and burnout. Self-care is a lot more than just a face mask or a bath. Self-care can look like setting boundaries, maintaining work life balance, or even spending time alone to recharge. When we take care of ourselves, we have more energy to expend. For more information on self care, visit our other pages!
Thanks for reading this week’s post, and please take care of yourself this chilly season!
