Rethinking Holiday ‘Stress Relief"
Holidays are supposed to be all about joy and connection, right?
Endless to-do lists, shopping, family dynamics, and packed schedules, it can often feel overwhelming.
For a lot of us, reaching for a drink at the end of the day can feel like the easiest way to unwind.
Here’s the thing: while that drink might feel good in the moment, it’s not actually helping with the stress itself.
Alcohol can mask the feeling of stress temporarily, but it doesn’t really help our minds and bodies relax in a way that lasts.
It’s never actually meeting your really needs, only masking them.
IKYK about the hang-xiety.
Your mind is a battery that drains throughout the day. Using alcohol to recharge is like putting duct tape over your gas light.
What if you thought about stress relief differently this season?
Rather than looking for a way to escape, maybe we can focus on smaller, meaningful ways to actually enjoy each part of the season—whether that’s simplifying our plans, asking for help, or taking a quiet moment for ourselves.
Shifting from commercial celebrations, to honoring the wheel of year and living with the cycles and rhythms of life, gave me the permission to slow down as the season calls for.
To not be responsible for other people expectations and to connect to life in a way that feels wholesome and good.
Holiday stress doesn’t have to feel inevitable.
What is your mind focused on? That’s a great place to start.
When we start to shift our approach, we create new ways to feel calm and centered that don’t depend on what’s in our glass.
Start here: