Holiday Survival 101
November 26, 2025
Sarah Whitmire, PhD, LMFTS, LCMHCS
We are all in the thick of the “black hole” of Oct/Nov/Dec – add a layer of January, just for measure. For many, this is a time of joy, festivities, and connection with loved ones. And for others, a time of loneliness, isolation and grieving. It doesn’t feel great to be the downer during a season where heaps of joy is being passed around - and this is the piece which creates shame for many people.
For many of my clients, visiting their families during the holidays creates a significant strain on their emotional well-being. Within families, there is a long history of experiences that intertwine and are layered with emotions. These feelings tend to surface when people go back to their families over the holidays. Unresolved emotions may reemerge – a former professor of mine used to say “under stress, we all regress” – no one is immune. And yet, there are ways to cope and soothe ourselves through this period.
Here are some self-care ideas for you to consider in moving through the holidays with simplicity:
Get enough rest and conserve your energy. Winter is a time for hibernation – animals instinctually know when to move into a time of rest. You can “hibernate” by reducing your activities and getting sufficient sleep. Schedule time for extra rest – take all the naps! Minimize the amount of holiday events you attend – just say “no” when you feel that your body needs rest. Intentionally decide which holiday activities fill your emotional cup, and give yourself permission to say “no” to those that deplete you.
Moments of solitude. Taking physical breaks during your family visits can be helpful. There can be sensory overload, and we may need to break away from group activities to soothe our sensory system. This can be as simple as taking a 10 minute bathroom break. Or taking a nap. Be intentional in taking time to soothe your body, this can be a game changer for stress.
Make weekly therapy appointments. Meet with a therapist to process family stressors and construct a self-care plan. It is important to have a strategy, and a therapist can support you in constructing and maintaining one. We have many therapists who can help support you through the holidays, meeting with you to create a personal self-care strategy. Our therapists utilize a wide range of techniques to assist in stress reduction so that you may have a more peaceful holiday season.
