Navigating holiday stress, especially around family dynamics or feelings of loneliness, can be tough for everyone. For those who don’t celebrate traditional holidays, the season can be a great time to create personal meaning or simply enjoy a break from the usual routine. Here are some tips that can help anyone:

• Create a support network – If you foresee yourself being lonely, plan to reach out to friends, online communities, or local support groups during the holiday season. Even a brief text exchange can lift your mood, and video calls are a great way to feel a sense of belonging and connectedness.
• Prioritize self-care – keep routines that support your well-being, turn the time into a “self-care holiday,” do activities that can help you relax or recharge like spa treatments at home, exercise, meditation, journaling, and enjoying some peaceful downtime with no agenda. These practices can act as anchors to keep you ground and offer emotional balance. Your self-care should not take a back seat because the holiday season is upon us.
• Set boundaries early – If you are spending time with family decide beforehand what topics are off limits for you like politics, health, relationships, etc… and be prepared to redirect discussion away from sensitive areas and don’t be afraid to be assertive. Setting mental boundaries can help you avoid and address potential stressors.
• Plan alternative holiday activities – Create your own traditions if traditional family gatherings are not your thing. Watching a favorite show, doing a movie marathon, volunteering, or trying a new recipe can help make the day special on your terms.
• Set manageable expectations – Remember there is no “perfect holiday.” Don’t feel pressured to create the perfect day. Holidays can be joyful even if they’re quiet or non-traditional. Embrace a flexible mindset that emphasizes small joys rather than big expectations.
• Limit social media – social media can be a great place to connect but it can also lead individuals to make different comparisons. Comparing your holiday to others’ can amplify feelings of loneliness or inadequacy. Set limits on social media use, especially if it’s contributing to holiday stress.
• Practice gratitude – a daily gratitude practice, even for small things, can shift your focus away from stress and loneliness to what you value and enjoy in your in life.
• Reflect & set goals for the coming year – use this time for personal reflection, thinking about what you have accomplished and would like to do in the next year. You could create a vision board, set intentions, or write in a journal to help clarify your goals.
• Connect with others who don’t celebrate – if you have others around you who don’t celebrate holidays, you can plan a gathering or low-key event. It’s a nice way to connect with people and make the season feel inclusive and enjoyable without the pressures of traditional holiday gatherings.
• Seek out counseling or therapy support – If you are feeling particularly low, talking to a mental health professional can provide support and strategies to manage holiday-related emotions.