Happy Holidays: How to Reduce Holiday Stress and Create a Season That Supports You

Creating a Season That Supports You

As the Christmas season approaches, it naturally invites reflection. The end of the year encourages us to pause, take stock, and look back at the journey we've taken. 

It’s a time for celebration, connection, and contemplation, but for many, it also brings a swirl of emotions—excitement mingled with stress, joy shadowed by expectations, and even sorrow for what’s missing or changed.

This season, I invite you to explore new ways to honour and celebrate the holidays that respect your unique circumstances and authentic self.

From Wanting to Embracing

The holidays often spark a longing for more: more gifts, more perfect moments, and more traditions that recreate an imagined ideal. Yet, fulfillment doesn’t come from getting what we want but from wanting what we already have.

This mindset - a shift from attaining to gratitude - helps us see the beauty in the present moment. Can you cherish the relationships, experiences, and simple joys already within your reach? This season, let’s pause and notice. Instead of striving, let’s embrace what is and find peace in the here and now.

Navigating the Not-So-Jolly Moments

For many, the holidays are less jolly and bright. Financial pressures, family complexities, grief, and exhaustion weigh heavily on countless hearts. The whirlwind of obligations and societal expectations can make the season feel like a relentless treadmill rather than a time of joy.

What if we slowed down? What if we allowed ourselves the grace to do less? Reclaiming this time of year doesn’t mean rejecting it but reimagining it to honour your needs and values. It’s never too late to rewrite the script - to choose calm over chaos, authenticity over obligation.

Breaking Free from Tradition

Traditions are often cherished, but they can also become burdens. The pressure to replicate childhood memories or fulfill outdated expectations can overwhelm. What brought joy at one stage of life might no longer serve us.

Ask yourself: 

• Which traditions genuinely bring joy?

• Which ones align with your values now?

• Which can you lovingly release?

Let go of “should” and embrace what feels meaningful now. Whether that means keeping cherished rituals, creating new ones, or simply allowing space to breathe, the spirit of the season is about connection - not perfection.

Challenging the Myth of the Season

As we know it, Christmas is a blend of traditions, commercialism, and societal expectations. None of these elements are inherently wrong, but blindly following them can lead to stress, excess, and disconnection.

The heart of the season lies in its essence: peace, love, and presence. These aren’t confined to December but can guide us all year long. If we let go of the pressure to conform, we can craft celebrations that resonate deeply with who we are and what we value.

I hope you find what you truly need this season, and may it support you in every way. 

A Brain-Boosting Holiday

1. Gratitude: Giving and reflecting on blessings spark joy by releasing dopamine & serotonin.

2. Stronger Connections: Choosing who you spend quality time with increases oxytocin (the bonding hormone), making you feel less stressed.

3. Relaxation & Rest: Slowing down recharges your brain, improving mood and memory. 

Focus on connection, gratitude, and rest for a brain-boosting holiday!

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If we haven’t met before, I’m Shawna Campbell, a Life Coach on a mission to help you change your mind to change your life. Learn more about me and what I do at www.shawnacampbell.com

If you want to talk about how we can work together, contact me today and we can schedule your free consultation.

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