Beat Holiday Burnout With Our Quick Tips

Tis the Season 

The holidays are here! Thanksgiving and Christmas are upon us again. And if thinking about the holidays sparks stress and sends chills up your spine, you’re not alone. According to the American Psychological Association, nearly nine in 10 U.S. adults say something causes them stress during the holiday season. 

Now, we all know that stress is a natural and normal part of life. Our nervous systems do a wonderful job at helping us to navigate stressors at various levels each day but when stress goes unaddressed and unmanaged over a period of time, it can turn into burnout. 

What is Burnout? 

According to Psychology Today, “Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and often physical exhaustion brought on by prolonged or repeated stress. Though it’s most often caused by problems at work, it can also appear in other areas of life, such as parenting, caretaking, or romantic relationships.”

This of course can apply to the holidays since they happen at the same time EVERY year. Thus, making holiday burnout something for you to absolutely begin or continue watching out for when it comes to your mental health. 

Signs of Holiday Burnout 

Watch out for the following signs or impacts of holiday burnout: 

• Feeling emotionally numb and detached 
• Weakened immune system 
• Trouble concentrating 
• Frustration over holiday events and activities 
• Loss of interest in holiday activities that once sparked joy and excitement 
• Difficulty sleeping or fatigue 
• Changes in appetite and digestion 

Beating Burnout 

Holiday burnout is the culmination of unmanaged and unaddressed stress during the holidays. Here are a few ways to manage stress around known holiday triggers before it turns to burnout. 

1. Spending too much or not having enough money: Can you think of a time when the holidays were maybe not about money? Reminiscing on these times may help you find more fulfilling and creative ways to connect. 
2. Feeling left out or excluded: Consider a small change you can make to eliminate or reduce this social stress. This may even be an opportunity for virtual connection if in-person isn’t an option. 
3. Having too much to do: A reframe here may be helpful. Instead of thinking that you have too much to do for the holidays, what if you shifted your thinking to sources of support, or breaking your to-do list into smaller tasks to negate stressful overwhelm. It may also be helpful to reject busyness and set boundaries regarding what you will and will not do. 

Support for Burnout 

The holidays don’t have to be the bane of your existence. You are meant to enjoy the season and not simply suffer through it. If you feel yourself stressed and slipping into burnout this holiday season, talking to a therapist can help. 

At Lifeologie Counseling, we can help you with stress management any time of year. Whether you’re new to therapy or seeking a new therapist, we welcome the chance to come alongside you in your mental health journey. Connect with me at Lifeologie Counseling Dallas or find a therapist near you who specializes in your concerns.