10 Tips for a Happier, Healthier Holiday Season

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10 Tips for a Happier, Healthier Holiday Season

The holiday season is all about joy, celebration, and being with the people we love—but let’s be honest, it can also be pretty stressful and leave us feeling far from our best selves. Between the gift-giving pressures, family gatherings, and everything in between, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But with a bit of intentionality, you can make this holiday season the most joyful one yet.

Whether you want to stay healthy amid the holiday treats, reduce stress while keeping up with traditions, or simply savor meaningful moments, this list is for you. Here are 10 practical tips to help you navigate the season with more happiness, health, and less holiday burnout.

1.) Start with Gratitude

Begin each day with a heart full of gratitude (and it doesn’t have to be just during the Thanksgiving season). You’ve probably heard that gratitude is one of the best ways to reset your mind, but do you actually take the time to think about all that you have to be thankful for? I encourage you — starting today — to start your mornings off by writing three things that you are thankful for. This can be on a sheet of paper, in your journal, or on a board in your home or office. If your children or grandchildren are at home, this can also be a great opportunity to create a family gratitude board where everyone writes down something they’re grateful for each day leading up to the holidays or new year.

Personally, I’ve found that incorporating gratitude into my holiday gatherings makes a huge difference. I’ve started using scripture place cards at each table during holiday meals. Each card features a verse that encourages thankfulness and reminds everyone at the table to reflect on God’s goodness. Not only does it add a meaningful touch to the décor, but it also serves as a conversation starter and encourages guests to share what they’re grateful for. If you’re hosting this year, it’s a simple way to keep the focus on the season’s true meaning and cultivate an atmosphere of gratitude. Whether it’s a verse about thankfulness or a verse that resonates with the joy of the season, these little cards can be a sweet reminder to take a moment and appreciate what really matters. Click HERE for a free, printable PDF with 12 Thanksgiving place cards.

2.) Seek Moments of Solitude

Jesus made it a priority to get away from the crowds so he could spend time with his Father. When life is busy, moments with God are even more important. You may not be able to get away for hours, so it may mean that you have to experience solitude right where you are. Enjoy the quiet while taking a shower. When driving by yourself in the car, don’t crank up the radio or make a call; use the space to feel God’s presence. These can be times to sit quietly with Him, or you can even use these moments to pray and talk with God.

3.) Maintain Healthy Habits

Don’t let the holiday season derail your healthy habits, and this is where planning out your season can be extra helpful. Ensure you get enough sleep, stay hydrated, maintain a balanced diet, and ask for help when you need it. Making time for daily movement is great for your body, yes, but can also be a powerful stress reliever. In fact, taking care of your physical health contributes to a positive mindset and more energy, which can help you tackle holiday demands.

4.) Simplify Your Celebrations

Amidst the flurry of holiday preparations, think of ways you can scale back. I know it can be difficult to cut back on obligations and traditions, but sometimes it’s the best thing we can do for ourselves and our loved ones. Maybe you don’t send Christmas cards to your long list (truth be told I quit doing this about 12 years ago and I’ve never felt the need to add it back). Your gifts don’t have to be wrapped perfectly (I love using gift bags because they’re so easy). Maybe you only put up half of your holiday decorations. I love to entertain in my home, but what makes things more enjoyable is asking people to bring a dish for the meal. And, if they offer to help clean up, I accept their help. Where can you accept help this holiday season?

5.) Fully Engage in Each Moment

Time may feel limited during this busy season, but when you do have moments to yourself or with loved ones, make them count. Resist the urge to spend this special time scrolling through social media or creating the “perfect” social media post. Instead, engage in meaningful conversations, put away electronics, and savor moments of togetherness. In a world that often pressures us to create the perfect holiday, reflect on what truly matters. Is it the meticulously curated table setting or the spontaneous laughter with loved ones? Show up and enjoy each moment to the fullest.

6.) Organize and Plan Ahead

Even if you thrive on a packed schedule, having a plan helps ensure everything gets done without feeling overwhelmed. When it comes to food prep, I plan meals and create detailed grocery lists, so I only need one store trip each week. Similarly, setting alarms and writing out daily to-do lists keeps me on track and reduces nighttime stress. I also recommend writing out a rough list of all the festivities and obligations you currently have planned – this means everything from decorating your Christmas tree to your town’s tree lighting ceremony to the Christmas shows at school and church. When you have your list made, write it out on a calendar. Having a visual aid of all your plans this season can help you figure out what things you actually need and want to do, and what things should maybe be changed or removed from your routine this year.

7.) Prioritize What Matters

To reduce holiday stress and experience more joy, it’s essential to prioritize the things that are most important to you. What are the habits and routines that you know will help you to feel your best? Put them on your calendar before adding anything else. I know that for me, exercise and reading my Bible are two activities that really help me relax, feel grateful, and stay focused, so I make sure that I have time designated each day for these activities. If serving others fills you up, then carve out time to go serve. If it’s having coffee with a friend, then pick up the phone and make a plan. By committing to the activities that help you to thrive your holidays will be more joyful.

8.) It’s Okay to Say No

One of the most important steps to finding peace and reducing stress during the holidays is learning to say “no” when necessary. You may have a strong desire to please others (something so many of us struggle with), but it’s essential to know your limits and set boundaries. Don’t feel compelled to say “yes” to every invitation or request. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, politely decline and explain that you value the relationship but need to create space in your calendar. Suggest scheduling a get-together after the holiday rush.

9.) Tune into God’s Peace

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you” (John 14:27). His peace is different from the world’s peace, and it’s available to you. The Holy Spirit is living in you and if you listen closely, he will guide you into a life with more joy and less stress. Take time to tune into this peace by spending moments in prayer, meditating on God’s promises, and asking Him for help throughout your day and throughout the holiday season. I find it interesting (and sad) that the season of celebrating Jesus’ birthday creates stress which steals the very joy that He has gifted us. I encourage you to be intentional about allowing His peace (the peace that is already living in you) to fill your heart and mind.

One thing that I find helpful is to practice a stress-relief phrase. When you feel stress creeping in, I encourage you to have a go-to phrase that can help you regain your composure and connect with God. Combine this phrase with deep, calming breaths to center yourself.

Here are some examples:

Breathe in: “God, I trust you.”

Breathe out: “I give all my worries to you.”

Breathe in: “Jesus.”

Breathe out: “Fill me with your peace.”

Breathe in: “I know you’re with me”

Breathe out: “So I can rest”

10.) Set Realistic Expectations

The holidays are a time when many people find themselves battling unrealistic expectations and the subsequent feelings of failure and disappointment. Things that contribute to this are comparison and perfectionism. I hope you don’t let yourself go there. Remember that it’s okay if things don’t go exactly as you planned or if your holiday food, attire, décor, etc. don’t look like someone else’s. You may have a meal that flops, a gift that isn’t well received, an uncle who gets out of line, or other unexpected hiccups. Embrace imperfections. They can add humor, lead to valuable life lessons, and make memorable stories. A German phrase that I often use is “gut genug” which means “good enough” or “I did my best”. This helps me keep things in perspective and prioritize what truly matters.

My prayer for you this season is to create and stick to a holiday plan that incorporates healthy habits, countless moments of joy, and time with Jesus and loved ones. Let’s make it a season worth celebrating!