5 Ways to Reduce Holiday Stress (Without Losing Your Joy)

We love to say that the holidays are “the most wonderful time of the year.” 

And yes, sometimes they really are. There’s nothing I love more than the smell of pine when we go to get our Christmas tree, baking cookies with my kids, and cozying up with a steaming cup of hot chocolate (with marshmallows of course). 

But for most of us working moms, this season also piles on extra stress. Between end-of-year deadlines at work, kids’ winter and holiday school events, family traditions (lovely but maybe too abundant during this season), and social obligations for work and friends, it can feel like you’re juggling just too much.

The good news? You don’t need a perfectly color-coordinated Insta-worthy tree or a flawless family photo with matching outfits to enjoy the season. You just need a few intentional strategies to protect your energy and keep your focus on what matters most.

Here are five simple ways to reduce holiday stress and make room for real joy in your daily life:

1. Prioritize Sleep and Movement

It’s tempting to cut corners when life gets busy, but sacrificing rest and exercise often backfires. Sleep helps your brain regulate mood, memory, and focus - all crucial when you’re pulled in ten directions at once. Movement doesn’t have to mean a full workout; even a 10-minute walk can reset your energy and release stress.

Think of rest and movement as your holiday fuel, not optional extras.  Even if it’s snowy where you live, strap on those boots and get out there for some fresh air.  And instead of just hitting “ok” to the next episode of your binge-worthy show, treat your body to the gift of going to bed on time. 

And if you don’t want to take it from me, read this interview with a sleep expert in the Harvard Business Review.  They discuss how the cognitive impairments of sustained sleep deprivationcan actually mimic legal drunkenness. That’s pretty legit…and terrifying.

2. Take Tiny Mindfulness Meditation Breaks

Your brain isn’t designed to run nonstop from one task to the next. Short pauses for mindful breathing, stretching, or even sipping your coffee without multitasking can give your nervous system a reset.  I talked about this before in the sense of finding space to build in mental breathing room, but you don’t need a ton of extra time to actually reset.   

The science of mindfulness is growing and there are loads resources out there to try it at home. Just two minutes of quiet can be enough to shift your body out of “go-go-go” mode and into a more relaxed state.

3. On the Topic of Breaks…Take IRL Breaks, Not Screen Breaks

When you’re overwhelmed, it’s natural to reach for your phone as an escape. The problem? Scrolling often adds more stimulation, not relief. Instead, try true in real life brain breaks: step outside, doodle, journal, or simply sit and daydream. These activities actually give your brain space to recharge.  

So instead of reaching for your phone to scroll social media, consider a screen-free alternative, such as:

• Take a quick walk around the block

• Spend a few minutes working on a puzzle (e.g., sudoku)

• Call a friend you haven’t spoken to in awhile

Make a shopping list with some fancy gel pens (these Jelly Roll pens are my absolute favorites)

4. Intentionally Focus on the Positives

The stressors of the season can easily overshadow its joys. Build in small rituals that highlight the good: notice the way your kids light up at holiday lights, savor a favorite recipe, or pause to write down one thing you’re grateful for each day.

Training your brain to notice positives is a gentle but powerful way to shift perspective and reduce stress. Everyone loves a good bi#ch fest once in a while, but dwelling on the negative can take a toll on your health and well-being. 

You can borrow a strategy used in therapy called Rose, Bud, Thorn in your own family to help balance out the good and bad in your next discussion.  Share something that went well today (rose), followed by something that you’re looking forward to (bud), and ending with something that didn’t go well or was stressful (thorn).

Intentionally creating a practice of talking about your day with your family or significant other starting with the positive can shift the entire mood to well…a more positive one.

5. Let Go of Perfection

Spoiler alert: nobody is having a “perfect” holiday despite what you see on social media. The pressure to do it all (and do it flawlessly) can leave you depleted and resentful. This year, experiment with letting go of just one expectation that doesn’t serve you.

Your holidays don’t need to look like a magazine spread to be meaningful. They just need to reflect what matters most to you.

So if your attempts at striving for perfection are creating sky high stress levels, it’s time to work on striving for “pretty good.” 

Perfectionism can create unnecessary barriers that honestly, we all can do without.  So don’t feel deflated if your turkey comes out a little dry or you end up wearing the same outfit as last year that no one comments on.  Remember that the point of the holidays is to celebrate and spend time with people that you care about.

A Few Thoughts to Leave You With…

The holidays don’t have to feel like another job on top of the one you already have. By prioritizing rest, finding mindful moments, and letting go of perfection, you can create more space for connection and joy.

This season, give yourself permission to step off the hamster wheel and focus on what really matters because your energy is the greatest gift of all.

…And as always, I’m here if you’re ready to take time to dive into how your brain works and regain that strength and energy through learning skills to support your executive functioning. 

Disclaimer: While Dr. Liz is a licensed psychologist, the information provided herein is intended solely for educational purposes. Services offered by Empowered Focus, LLC are not to be considered a substitute for mental health therapy. Individuals requiring mental health therapy are advised to seek support from a qualified mental health provider in their respective localities. A valuable resource for locating such providers is Psychology Today.