The holiday season is often described as the most wonderful time of the year — a season filled with joy, connection, and generosity. Yet, for many, it can also be one of the most stressful and emotionally complex times. Between the financial pressures of gift-giving, the social demands of gatherings, and the emotional weight of family expectations, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. We spend so much energy giving to others that we often forget to give something just as valuable to ourselves: care, compassion, and rest.
The season of giving can sometimes come with an unspoken expectation to meet every demand and make everything perfect — the right gifts, the right meals, the right atmosphere. But beneath all the glitter and good intentions, many people quietly experience anxiety, fatigue, and loneliness. In the midst of all the hustle and bustle, it’s worth asking ourselves: “When was the last time I gave something back to myself?”
Self-care during the holidays isn’t selfish — it’s essential. It can be as simple as saying “no” to one more commitment, taking a quiet walk to clear your mind, or allowing yourself to enjoy a slow morning without guilt. Sometimes it means setting boundaries with loved ones or giving yourself permission to feel whatever emotions arise, whether joy or sadness. The truth is, when we care for ourselves, we create space to be more present and authentic with others.
It’s also important to remember that the holidays don’t look the same for everyone. Some may be grieving, navigating change, or feeling isolated. Extending kindness to yourself during these times is one of the most meaningful gifts you can offer. You don’t need to meet every expectation or recreate a picture-perfect moment — the season’s true spirit lies in connection, gratitude, and grace.
So, this year, amid the giving, decorating, and celebrating, take a moment to pause. Reflect on what you truly need to feel nourished and whole. Maybe it’s rest. Maybe it’s quiet. Maybe it’s simply permission to be. Whatever it looks like for you, honour it. Because the more love and care you give yourself, the more genuine joy you’ll have to share with others.
Self-care tips for the holidays
Throughout the season, we might try using one or all these tips to practice self-care during the holidays:
Find short periods of time to sit quietly.
Sometimes self-care can be as simple as taking a few minutes to stop, sit, and breathe. Whether we’re able to find a free 3 minutes or 30 minutes to take a break, it can make a world of difference for our well-being.
The “Daily Calm | 10 Minute Mindfulness Meditation | Be Present” video on YouTube is one of the most popular short, free, guided meditations on the platform. It’s designed to help you center yourself, focus on the present moment, and reduce stress in just 10 minutes — perfect for a daily mindfulness practice.
You can find many similar free guided meditations on YouTube by searching for:
- “10-minute mindfulness meditation”
- “Calm guided meditation”
- “Headspace daily meditation”
- “Mindful breathing exercises”
If you don’t necessarily have the time to meditate during this season, or if meditation isn’t something you are into, we can also simply sit, reflect, and enjoy some quiet.
Tap into a sense of play.
Throughout the holidays, it can be easy to get wrapped up in all the logistics the season requires, constantly ticking things off endless to-do lists and trying to meet everyone’s expectations. Before we know it, the holidays have become less of a celebration and more of a long, exhausting chore. To bring more joy, balance, and meaning back into this special season, we can intentionally carve out time for the things that truly bring us happiness and peace.
Maybe that means watching nostalgic Christmas movies with family, baking festive treats with loved ones, or revelling in the daily surprise of an Advent calendar. It might also mean bundling up for a winter walk, listening to holiday music, or simply taking a quiet moment with a warm cup of cocoa to breathe and reflect. Prioritizing these small but meaningful moments of connection, laughter, and self-care can help us stay grounded, reduce stress, and remind us of what truly matters — love, gratitude, and togetherness. When we slow down and make space for joy, the holidays transform from a list of obligations into a season of genuine warmth and celebration.
Care for the body.
While caring for the mind is a great start to self-care, nurturing the body is an equally vital part of the equation. During the holidays, preserving our physical health can take many forms — from maintaining healthy sleep hygiene to practicing mindful eating that helps us navigate the abundance of festive treats and indulgences with balance and awareness. It might also mean carving out time for movement, such as scheduling a daily walk, yoga session, or light stretching routine. Even a short walk outdoors can significantly reduce anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal, while improving mood, boosting self-esteem, and recharging energy levels.
By being intentional about physical well-being, we create space for both rest and rejuvenation, allowing our bodies to support the joy, connection, and meaning that the holiday season brings. When our minds and bodies are in harmony, we’re better able to fully experience the warmth and wonder of this special time of year.
What is sleep hygiene?
The term “sleep hygiene” can be a bit misleading, as it doesn’t refer to washing your face or brushing your teeth before bed. Instead, sleep hygiene encompasses science-backed habits and routines—both during the day and before bedtime—that help create the ideal conditions for healthy, restorative sleep. Practicing good sleep hygiene can make all the difference between a restful night and a restless one. Some key elements include:
- Create a comfortable sleep environment that is dark, quiet, and cool, free from distractions like phones or bright lights.
- Maintain a consistent sleep schedule, aiming for seven to nine hours per night for most adults, even on weekends.
- Develop a calming bedtime routine that signals to your body and mind that it’s time to unwind—such as reading, meditating, or gentle stretching.
- Build healthy daytime habits, like getting exposure to natural light, staying active, and limiting caffeine intake later in the day.
- Personalize your routine to suit your needs, preferences, and lifestyle so that it remains sustainable and effective.
When we commit to these small, intentional practices, we can improve not only the quality of our sleep but also our energy, focus, and emotional well-being throughout the holiday season and beyond.
What is mindful eating?
Mindful eating places awareness on the menu — whenever and wherever we eat. Beyond simply paying attention to what we eat, it invites us to explore how and why we eat, transforming our relationship with food into one of curiosity and gratitude. By slowing down and engaging all our senses, we notice textures, flavours, and aromas more deeply. This practice helps us recognize hunger and fullness cues, reduce overeating, and make more intentional food choices. Ultimately, mindful eating encourages a balanced, holistic approach that nourishes both body and mind, fostering a genuine appreciation for every meal, every mouthful, and every ingredient that sustains us.
Make room for all types of feelings.
There tends to be an underlying pressure during the holidays to feel perpetually happy and festive. While some people may feel truly blissful during this time, 64% of people say they experience a case of the holiday blues at some point throughout the season. It’s common for this time of year to bring up feelings of sadness, stress, anxiety, grief, and loneliness.
Should these emotions arise, we might sit with them as an act of self-care. While this can admittedly be uncomfortable, we can use meditation, journalling, or some other mindfullness practice to navigate these feelings in a way that may help us feel much better in the end.
Meditation, specifically, offers us a chance to step away from the thinking mind and instead focus on the breath, rather than our thoughts and emotions. This anchors us to the present moment and calms the mind. In stepping back from all our storylines and ruminations, we are better able to observe what’s going on in our minds; the more we observe, the more we realize we don’t have to get caught up in all the mental noise we self-create. As we learn how to acknowledge thoughts and feelings that arise during meditation, we learn to give them less weight and meaning, so we start to release them, allowing us to move forward and form a clearer, calmer, more contented space.
Practice letting go of expectations.
Sometimes, the best and most meaningful act of holiday self-care we can offer ourselves is the practice of letting go — releasing the high standards and expectations we so often set during this time of year. These fixed ideas of how things should be rarely aligns with how life truly unfolds, and clinging to them can create unnecessary stress or disappointment. Through mindfulness and meditation, we can learn to observe these expectations without judgment and gently let them pass.
When we sit quietly with the mind, we sit with the present moment — with life as it is, unpredictable yet full of possibility. Over time, we train ourselves to be more comfortable with uncertainty, loosening the grip of control and embracing what is, rather than what we think should be. This shift opens the door to greater peace, acceptance, and emotional balance, even amid the chaos of the season. By letting go, we invite joy, authenticity, and connection back into our celebrations, allowing space for gratitude and compassion to flourish naturally.
To support this process, you may find it helpful to explore your emotions more deeply using this resource: Emotion Words Checklist (PDF) — a simple yet powerful tool for identifying and understanding the wide range of feelings that arise during the holidays.
Create a gratitude jar.
Arthur Amanda Krisher (2024), Associate Director of Behavioural Health at the NCOA Center for Healthy Aging, explains that research shows practicing gratitude can significantly enhance overall well-being. Those who regularly express gratitude not only experience lower stress levels but also report feeling less physical pain, enjoying better sleep, and having stronger immune systems. Gratitude fosters healthier relationships, improves professional performance, and even motivates individuals to make more mindful, nutritious food choices.
Practicing gratitude doesn’t have to be complicated — it can be as simple as keeping a daily gratitude journal, expressing appreciation to loved ones, or taking a quiet moment to reflect on what you’re thankful for. Over time, these small acts can cultivate resilience, optimism, and a deeper sense of contentment.
- Create a “gratitude jar”—When you feel gratitude, write that experience down on a piece of paper and place it in the jar. Each month, pull out a few experiences to read and maybe share with others.
- Start a gratitude journal—every day, write down at least 1 thing you were grateful for that day. It could be as simple as a beautiful flower, someone who smiled at you, or even getting out of bed.
Key takeaways
- Self-care is essential, not selfish. Taking time to rest, recharge, and nurture your well-being allows you to be more present, compassionate, and connected with others.
- Balance mind and body. Caring for your mental health through mindfulness and your physical health through movement, rest, and healthy habits helps you feel grounded during the busy holiday season.
- Embrace all emotions. The holidays can bring joy as well as sadness, stress, or grief. Allowing space for every feeling is an act of self-compassion.
- Let go of perfection. You don’t need to meet every expectation or create the “perfect” holiday. Focus on connection, gratitude, and what truly matters to you.
- Reach out for support. If feelings of anxiety, sadness, or overwhelm persist, contact your physician, a therapist, or local mental health supports like your local distress line, the 9-8-8 suicide prevention line, or 2-1-1 Ontario to find resources in your area. You are not alone — help and hope are always available.
Conclusion
As the holiday season unfolds, it’s easy to become caught up in the whirlwind of expectations, activities, and obligations. Yet, amid the decorating, gatherings, and giving, the most meaningful gift we can offer—to ourselves and others—is the gift of self-care. By taking time to slow down, breathe, and nurture our minds and bodies, we cultivate the inner calm and balance needed to truly experience the joy of the season.
Self-care is not indulgence; it is a foundation for resilience and emotional well-being. When we allow ourselves moments of rest, reflection, and kindness, we replenish the energy that helps us connect more deeply with those around us. Whether it’s through a mindful walk, a few minutes of meditation, or simply permitting ourselves to pause, these small acts of self-nourishment can have a profound impact.
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) reminds us that if, despite our best efforts, feelings of anxiety, sadness, or overwhelm persist—or begin to interfere with daily life—it’s important to reach out for support. Struggling emotionally does not mean you’re failing; it means you’re human, and help is available. Talking to your physician, a therapist, or another trusted mental health professional can provide you with tools, strategies, and compassionate guidance to help you feel better and regain balance. Remember, you do not have to navigate difficult emotions alone. Reaching out for help is a sign of strength, and with the right support, healing and hope are always within reach.
This holiday season, may we remember that caring for ourselves is an act of love — one that ripples outward, fostering greater compassion, patience, and peace. Let’s carry this spirit of self-care beyond the holidays and into the new year, continuing to honour our needs, protect our well-being, and celebrate the simple, sustaining moments that make life meaningful.
Resources
This past blog post explores self-care through the lens of The Seven Pillars of Self-Care including knowledge and health literacy, mental well-being, physical activity, healthy eating, risk avoidance, good hygiene, and rational use of services and products.
- www.211Ontario.ca or dial 211
Ontario 211 is a free helpline that connects you to community and social services in your area 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in over 150 languages.
There are many different kinds of mental health and addiction services available in Ontario. The type of service you may require depends on your needs. CMHA Ontario’s 30 branches provide community mental health services across Ontario. For a list of programs offered by the branch nearest you, find your local branch.
For over 40 years, Bereaved Families of Ontario has been supporting grieving Ontarians, and today, it is more important than ever that we continue our work. BFO offers peer-based support at no cost to those in need.
For more than half the population, however, this time of year is one of depression, anxiety and stress. They have compiled some tips for helping you through this time of year.
References
- lmousseau. (2024, December 17). Make sure to take some time for yourself this holiday season. CMHA National. https://cmha.ca/news/make-sure-to-take-some-time-for-yourself-this-holiday-season/
- Krisher, A. (2024, November 25). Got Holiday Stress? Self-Care Can Help. Ncoa.org. https://www.ncoa.org/article/mental-health-and-the-holidays-9-tips-for-self-care/
- Guttman, J. (2022). How Self-Care Will Make Your Holidays Feel Better. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sustainable-life-satisfaction/202211/how-self-care-will-make-your-holidays-feel-better?msockid=358154f297d2686803e8414c96136902
- Mosunic, C. (2024, February 13). Calm Blog. Calm Blog. https://blog.calm.com/blog/holiday-self-care
- Ontario Shores Communications and Public Affairs. (2023, December 7). A Mental Health Tips List for The Holidays. Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences. https://www.ontarioshores.ca/holidayhealthtips
- Solodar, J. (2025, January 31). Sleep hygiene: Simple practices for better rest – Harvard Health. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/sleep-hygiene-simple-practices-for-better-rest