A More Grounded, Intentional Way to Move Through the Holidays
Let’s face it—the end of 2025 has been a rough landing for many people, especially those working in mission-driven, nonprofit, government, and public service roles. It’s been a year marked by sustained pressure, limited resources, high expectations, and constant change. For many, uncertainty about funding, leadership shifts, job security, and broader social and political forces isn’t neatly wrapping up with the calendar year—and the uncertainty heading into 2026 will likely persist.
That’s precisely why these next few weeks matter so much.
The holiday season can easily become a blur of obligations and exhaustion, but it also offers a rare window to pause, regroup, and restore your energy. How you move through this time—what you protect, what you let go of, and how intentionally you care for yourself—can shape how you enter the new year.
I’ve pulled together this guide to help you navigate the holidays in a way that works for you, so you can arrive in January feeling more grounded, rested, and clear-headed. Even if life feels busy and unpredictable, there are still many small, intentional choices you can make to design your holidays with more ease and care.
Below are 16 practical tips to reduce stress, relax more, and truly enjoy the holiday season—on your own terms.
Embrace What You Love About the Holidays
Tip #1: Focus on what’s really important
Start with this question: How do you actually want to feel during the holiday season?
It’s easy to get caught up in what we think we should do—traditions, expectations, obligations—but most of us are really longing for a feeling, not a checklist.
You probably already have a to-do list. Try adding a “how I want to feel” list alongside it. For example:
I want to feel connected to my family
I want to feel unplugged from work
I want to feel festive—watching holiday movies, baking, or listening to music
Let those feelings guide your choices.
Tip #2: Find joy by practicing gratitude
The holidays are a powerful time to focus on gratitude—but they can also magnify what feels missing.
Take special care to remind yourself of what is going well. Research consistently shows that practicing gratitude improves mood and overall well-being. It can be as simple as writing down three things you’re grateful for each day. Try it for a week and notice how your mindset begins to shift.
Tip #3: Connect with people in meaningful ways
The holidays offer an opportunity to reconnect—sometimes in deeper, more intentional ways.
Seek out moments of real connection, even if it’s just a phone call or a video conversation. One-to-one time with a cherished friend or family member can do wonders for your spirit.
You might also consider writing letters or personal cards. Expressing how much someone means to you not only strengthens connection—it nourishes you as well.
Tip #4: Give back to someone else
Helping others can lift your mood and offer perspective—especially during difficult times.
And this doesn’t have to mean buying gifts. Offer support to someone who feels overwhelmed. Check in on someone who’s struggling. Consider volunteering, even in small ways. Giving back often brings a sense of meaning that goes beyond the holidays themselves.
Keep It Simple
Tip #5: Do less—enjoy more
December is often packed. End-of-year deadlines collide with shopping, cooking, travel, and social obligations.
Take a close look at your calendar and deliberately plan to do less. A simpler schedule allows you to be more present—and to actually enjoy the moments that matter.
Tip #6: “Unschedule” what drains you
Are there holiday activities you dread? Parties you feel obligated to attend? Traditions that no longer fit?
Ask yourself what you can realistically unschedule—or modify. If something is unavoidable, look for ways to make it more manageable or less draining.
Tip #7: Say no when it’s too much
This season invites over-commitment. With fewer workdays and more personal obligations, it’s easy to say yes too often—especially if you’re a people pleaser.
Pay attention to when your calendar (and your energy) is maxed out. Giving yourself permission to say no is an act of self-respect, not selfishness.
Stress Less
Tip #8: Don’t sweat the small stuff
Despite the picture-perfect images we see everywhere, the holidays are rarely flawless. Family gatherings don’t always resemble a movie scene—and that’s okay.
When stress creeps in, pause and ask yourself: Is this detail really worth my energy? Redirect your focus to what truly matters.
Tip #9: Pick your battles
Family time can bring out both the best and the most challenging dynamics. Old patterns resurface. Triggers appear.
Notice when you’re becoming reactive. Step back from recycled arguments that leave everyone feeling depleted. You don’t have to engage in every battle.
Tip #10: Stress less about gifts
There’s enormous pressure around gift-giving—finding the “perfect” gift, spending money, and meeting expectations.
The truth? Most people won’t remember the gift nearly as much as how they felt around you.
If gift-giving matters to you, make it simpler:
Set a budget and stick to it
Make shopping enjoyable by pairing it with something you like
Plan ahead to avoid last-minute stress
Tip #11: Set boundaries
With increased family and social time, you may find yourself pulled into unwanted conversations or pressured into decisions that don’t feel right.
Remember: you’re allowed to set boundaries—even with family. Just because you did something in the past doesn’t mean you have to repeat it.
Tip #12: Manage expectations
December often looks longer than it is. In reality, it’s usually a three-week month at best.
Check in with yourself about what’s realistic. Adjust expectations accordingly—of yourself and of others.
Use the Holidays for Self-Care
Tip #13: Schedule time just for you
The holidays can involve a lot of togetherness—which can be wonderful and exhausting.
Block off time for yourself and treat it like a real appointment. It doesn’t have to be long: a walk, a quiet coffee, reading, or watching a movie can be enough to recharge.
Tip #14: Keep moving
When it’s cold and indulgent food is everywhere, exercise might be the last thing on your mind. Yet this is exactly when it can help most.
Movement releases endorphins, reduces stress, and boosts mood. Even a brisk walk can make a noticeable difference.
Tip #15: Find a little light
December is one of the darkest months of the year.
Prioritize time outdoors or near natural light whenever possible. A little sunshine—or simply being near a window—can help stabilize mood and energy.
Reflect and Look Ahead
Tip #16: Get curious about what the new year can bring
January often comes with a letdown—sometimes called post-holiday blues. After all the buildup, returning to routine can feel flat.
Whether or not you like New Year’s resolutions, this season offers a quieter opportunity to reflect. Consider what matters most, what needs to shift, and where you want to reinvest your energy in the year ahead.
There’s no right way to do this—only what feels meaningful and sustainable for you.
A Final Thought
The holidays don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. By making thoughtful, values-aligned choices over the next few weeks, you give yourself the gift of steadiness—something that will matter long after the decorations come down. A more grounded January starts with how you care for yourself now.