You’re only human, and you deserve to get as much out of the holiday season as you give to others. I’ll go over three main ideas that can help you to maintain a balanced schedule and mind as the 2025 holiday season approaches. 

Craft A Commitment Plan

Think back to past holiday seasons. You might have found yourself going to something and wondering why you were there, and then feeling overloaded because you felt obligated to attend despite not wanting to be there. 

What traditions do you typically uphold? Are there specific commitments or events you know you want to have or keep in your calendar? Are there any events you already know you don’t want to attend? 

Use these questions to begin getting clear on the obligations you’re willing to make and who you want to spend time with or where you want to spend time this holiday season. 

Some things to keep in mind as you think about your holiday season schedule:

• Don’t ditch your typical routines and rituals
  • Sticking to your typical weekly or daily routines will help you feel a sense of stability during a time of year where there are a lot of different things going on 
• Don’t micromanage each task and appointment on your calendar
  • Some things are out of your control, and that’s okay! Only control what you can, and remember to practice letting go of what you can’t 
• Pencil in time for yourself
  • You deserve to be a priority this holiday season, too! Make sure you schedule in time to practice doing the things or hobbies you have passion for  
• Just because there’s an empty spot on your calendar, doesn’t mean you need to say yes
  • Make sure you keep time or space open so you feel like you have breathing room, time for rest, or time for spontaneity 

Build a holiday season commitment plan that works with you, not against you. Be okay saying no when last-minute things pop up  or if it’s not something you’re interested in, and stick to your original plans!

Track Your Treat Intake

There’s often an increase in how much food, sugar or alcohol we consume during the holiday season. Your great grandma’s cookie recipe might be irresistible, and that extra glass of wine while everyone is chatting is definitely well-deserved, but all of this can easily zap your energy! 

It’s important to offset the consumption of goodies and treats during holiday events with a plan. By incorporating healthy eating, exercise and the right amount of sleep into your holiday schedule, you can make sure you still have energy to get through the day, focus on what needs to be done, and move the way you want to. 

I suggest increasing your water intake, scheduling time to move your body, and being mindful of what you’re fueling yourself with. Having a weekly eating and exercising plan can help! You might have to shift your typical routines for the plans or events you do decide to put on your calendar, and that’s okay, as long as you make it a point to still prioritize your body.

I start each week by planning:

1. The days I want to move my body, whether the exercise is high or low intensity. Even accomplishing a short workout will help! There are plenty of resources for working out at home, or if you prefer more accountability, getting to a guided class is always helpful. 
2. Meal prepping with clean foods. When you don’t have to attend a holiday event, make sure you have ideas for what you’ll eat at home! A good way to start is by finding recipes using whole ingredients and border shopping in grocery stores, avoiding the middle aisles with all of the highly-processed and sugary foods. 
3. Make sure you keep as consistent of a sleep schedule as possible. I personally love turning “Bedtime mode” on my phone—it automatically silences everything, reminds me when it’s time to wind down and get ready for bed, and has a pre-set alarm that wakes me up the next morning after I get the 8 hours of sleep I need to feel ready for the next day. 

The holiday season coincides with cold and flu season too, so make sure you’re getting a good amount of rest so you don’t put stress on your immune system. Maintaining your mental wellbeing while eating healthier and exercising can boost your immune system and potentially help to protect you from catching a cold, flu or other sickness. 

This isn’t to say that you won’t get sick at all, but you can work to keep your body strong and healthy so in the instance of sickness, your body is better equipped to bounce back afterward. 

And if you find yourself reaching for seconds of stuffing or another slice of pie after telling yourself you wouldn’t—don’t beat yourself up about it! It’s okay to indulge now and then. 

Have Time for Silence & Solitude 

The holidays are a time of gathering and togetherness, but it’s understandable if your social battery runs out or needs extra recharging. Overbooked schedules can cause anxiety and overwhelm. Creating intentional space and time for silence and solitude will help you unwind and decompress so peace may be with you throughout this time of year. 

According to Headspace, “The holidays can be a time of very intense highs and lows, where stress and joy can sit side by side.” Having time for yourself to sit with your emotions and feel them thoroughly before moving forward will help you better cope with the stressors and joys of the season—giving yourself the tools you need to feel equipped to handle the day, week, or month. 

Self-care comes in many different forms, and how you choose to replenish your body, soul and mind is really up to your own personal preference, but I’d like to offer a few tried and true suggestions that can help begin to guide your holiday self-care plan. 

Try out some low intensity or somatic movements to help your body to feel calm and yet accomplished.

Meditation and yoga can be a great way to recharge. You can go to a local studio and find a class that you’d like to try, or find guided meditations and at-home yoga online to practice in your own space. If those aren’t really your jam, try a 15-20 minute walk, or just bundle up and sit outside! Get some fresh air, listen to the birds and the wind through the trees, step on some crunchy leaves. Nature itself can be very healing for the mind, body and soul, and separating ourselves from screens is crucial in today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving tech world. Even just setting time aside to stretch tension away from your body can be helpful. A good frame of reference is to hold poses for a maximum of three minutes for deep stretching. 

Another way is to provide yourself with a nice, long, luxurious and spa-like nighttime routine. Draw yourself a warm bubble bath with a relaxing face mask and let yourself soak while you listen to your favorite album or a podcast, or pick up a book that allows your mind to escape for a little while. Maybe involve a cup of tea or a fun mocktail. 

Incorporating time for passions and hobbies is also a great way to engage your mind and unwind. Painting, sketching, writing, crocheting, reading or doing something else artistic is a good way to escape the strict framework of holiday scheduling and commitments. Remember that the goal here isn’t to be perfect, or to be the next Vincent VanGogh or up-and-coming author, but to engage the side of your brain that is creative and imaginative to take a break from the side of your brain that is more analytical and orderly. 

Be more thoughtful as we approach the end of the year to feel good about the choices you’ve made so you go into the new year feeling good about the end of this one!