Muses, we don’t mean to alarm you, but the holiday season is right around the corner— we’re talking blink twice, and it’s here.
And while yes, the holidays bring a special time to bond with family, friends, loved ones, and even our pets, to laugh and play over great food (and gifts, of course), these moments can also bring along peak levels of stress. This is especially true if you’re someone who already struggles with bouts of anxiety.
Tasks like finding The Perfect Gift, preparing the menu, making travel arrangements, securing a venue to host parties, meeting last-minute deadlines before everyone leaves the office, and even cleaning the house so it’s Mom-approved can feel heavy and daunting.
Before long, your cortisol levels are spiked (as we’ve covered before, stress has real adverse health effects on women), and the joy you should feel is replaced with the urgency to just get the holidays over with. Not exactly the lasting memory you want to create.
It’s essential to take care of yourself and prioritize your well-being.
Here are 7 tips to help you combat stress this holiday season:
1. Practice Slow Mornings
It’s not in your imagination—everything is louder and busier during the holiday season. Streets are crowded with shoppers, holiday music is blasting everywhere, and even your commute is likely longer as traffic clogs up.
If you’re someone who looks forward to a peaceful commute that’s now disrupted, try creating a quiet ritual at home instead. Whether it’s an extra-long shower where running water soothes your senses, adding time to relish in your decadent skin-care routine, or getting up early to savor a hot cup of tea and journal before diving into the day’s tasks, schedule an hour or two to reclaim your peace.
Slow mornings set the tone for calm, intentional days.
2. Take Private Trainings or At-Home Workouts
Exercising is one of the best ways to lower stress, but gyms can feel chaotic during the holidays. Your favorite classes (with the cute instructor, ha) are booked, machines are packed, and the free-weights section is crowded with newcomers.
Plan ahead by incorporating more at-home workouts or even booking private sessions. This way, you’ll avoid the crowds, stay consistent, and may even maximize results with 1:1 coaching. Consider private Pilates lessons or adding a training package to your gym membership.
Bonus: This also makes a thoughtful gift to add to your own holiday wish list.
3. Journal to Organize Your Thoughts
There’s something soothing about putting pen to paper. Experts agree that writing by hand strengthens memory, helps you process your day, and has an overall calming effect on your mind.
With so much happening during the holidays, journaling each day can keep you organized, track to-do lists, and let you reflect on small wins.
This simple practice alleviates stress and gives you a visual roadmap for the weeks ahead.
4. Hire Help
Many of us carry guilt for not handling everyday tasks ourselves—but we shouldn’t. Today we’re expected to juggle multiple roles as professionals, parents, spouses, caregivers, and entrepreneurs, all with little downtime.
This holiday season, consider budgeting to hire help. Whether it’s a virtual assistant for inbox management, an event planner for your family’s holiday party, a housekeeping service to keep things tidy, or laundry delivery to handle the wash-and-fold, offloading tasks reduces holiday stress.
Remember, asking for help is a form of self-care.
5. Meditate and Do Nothing
And Muses, we do mean nothing! Sneak away for 10–15 minutes each day to do absolutely nothing. No phone, no tasks. Just find a quiet spot—in your car, an empty office, or a calm room at home.
Turn on meditation music, soundwaves, or white noise. Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and allow your body and mind to be at ease.
These micro-moments of mindfulness help you recenter, reconnect, and reenergize so you can move through the day with intention.
6. Find Your Glimmers
“Glimmers” are tiny, joyful experiences that spark happiness and calm—even on stressful days. They’re your small, everyday reminders to pause and smile.
Maybe it’s a ritual for making a new matcha recipe, sipping peppermint cocoa with marshmallows, stringing holiday lights, watching the sunset, or lighting a warm vanilla-scented candle at night.
Notice these small moments of joy, celebrate them, and let them carry you through the busy season.
7. Delegate
This one’s tough for Muses who we know are particular and perfectionists. But trust us when we say, one of the best gifts you can give yourself this season to avoid holiday stress is the gift of letting go.
Hosting a massive family dinner? Delegate courses for others to prepare. Planning travel for the whole family? Share the responsibility. Doing all the shopping yourself? Assign items to others.
Most tasks can get done without you burning out—and perfection isn’t the point. The holidays are about connection, not control.
Give yourself permission to fall back, let go, and enjoy the moment.
Final Thoughts – Be Gentle With Yourself
Muses, we get that the holidays seem like a big deal—but they don’t have to be overwhelming. Be gentle with yourself. Don’t overload your days, don’t wait until the last minute, and remember: no one can add unnecessary stress to your holiday if you don’t let them.
Now, cue our Mariah Carey Christmas playlist. It’s timeeeeeee!
