The Hidden Side of the Holidays: Why This Season Can Feel Heavy & How to Support Yourself Through It

We talk a lot about the magic of the holidays, the warm nights, the long lunches, the sparkling lights, the excitement of giving, the gatherings, and the summer freedom.

But there’s another side we don’t often acknowledge out loud,

The holidays can be a lot.

Physically,

Emotionally,

Spiritually,

Financially.

For many people, December feels like a pressure cooker, full calendars, stretched budgets, family tension, late nights, disrupted routines, overstimulation, grief, loneliness, expectation, comparison, and the constant message that this time of year should feel joyful. But joy and heaviness can coexist. And if the holiday season feels mixed, complicated, or overwhelming, you’re not alone, and nothing is wrong with you.

As a naturopath, I see this every year. Clients tell me they feel exhausted, anxious, overstretched, out of alignment, and disconnected from themselves by the time January arrives.

So let’s talk about it openly, and gently.

The Toll the Holiday Season Can Take

Physically

• Late nights disrupt circadian rhythms and sleep quality,

• Alcohol, sugar, and processed foods strain the liver, gut, and nervous system,

• Overcommitting leads to burnout and immune suppression,

• Travel, heat, and social overload drain the body’s energy reserves,

Your body is doing its best, but it often needs more support than we give it in December.

Emotionally

The holidays can stir up,

• Family tension,

• Old wounds,

• Grief for those no longer here,

• Loneliness in the middle of busy-ness,

• Pressure to be cheerful,

• Comparison and perfectionism,

• Sensory overwhelm,

  
  

Even happy events can be emotionally draining when they’re constant.

Spiritually

This season can pull you away from,

• your values,

• your inner rhythm,

• your need for quiet,

• time in nature,

• presence and slowness,

• your intuition,

  
  

The “go-go-go” of December often clashes with what your spirit actually NEEDS, grounding, reflection, stillness.

Financially

Between gifts, food, travel, social events, outfits, school holidays, and end-of-year expenses, December is stressful for many households.

This pressure alone can create anxiety, conflict, and feelings of inadequacy.

Socially

Constant socialising, even the fun kind, takes a toll on the nervous system.

For introverts, neurodivergent people, highly sensitive individuals, and those already stretched thin, it can feel like too much, too fast, too often.

The goal isn’t to avoid Christmas or stop celebrating, it’s to honour yourself within it. To move through the season with awareness instead of obligation.

To give yourself what you need, not what the world tells you to do.

Here are simple, gentle ways to do that.

1. Protect Your Energy With Boundaries

This is your permission to,

• leave events early,

• say “I can’t make it this year”,

• choose smaller gatherings,

• avoid people who drain you,

• create time for rest between events,

Your nervous system will thank you.

2. Build in “White Space”

Block out entire evenings or mornings for nothing.

No plans,

No commitments,

Just rest, nature time, or quiet at home.

This protects your energy more than anything else.

3. Keep Your Sleep Routine As Consistent As Possible

Even if nights run late, try to,

• get morning sunlight,

• dim lights after sunset,

• avoid screens an hour before bed,

• support sleep with magnesium, herbal teas, or a calming ritual,

Your mood and resilience depend on this.

4. Nourish Your Body Gently

No perfection needed,

Just small supportive choices,

• Add protein to each meal,

• Hydrate, especially in the heat,

• Choose alcohol-free drinks sometimes,

• Eat colourful, mineral-rich foods,

• Go for a walk every day,

Your body has a huge tolerance for the “fun” foods when it’s supported in the basics.

5. Create Financial Boundaries

• set a limit per person,

• suggest Secret Santa,

• agree on no-gift years,

• give homemade gifts,

• offer acts of service instead of purchases,

Your worth is not measured by the size of your gift.

6. Honour Your Emotions

If you feel sad, anxious, lonely, overwhelmed, or nostalgic, let it be.

Emotions become heavier when we suppress them.

Gentle practices to support your emotions:

• journaling,

• grounding walks,

• mindfulness or meditation,

• breathing exercises,

• talking with a supportive friend or practitioner,

Feelings want to move. Let them.

7. Slow Down the Pace Where You Can

Instead of rushing:

• choose fewer events,

• arrive later or leave earlier,

• take breaks outside,

• sit in silence in the mornings,

• add 5 minutes of stillness before bed,

Your nervous system regulates through pauses, not perfection.

8. Keep Something Just for You

A ritual, a practice, or a sacred moment that grounds you:

• a morning cup of tea outside,

• barefoot time on the grass,

• a slow walk at sunset,

• five deep breaths before every event,

• a nightly gratitude or reflection moment,

Claim your peace.

The Holidays Can Hold Both Joy and Tenderness

You can love Christmas and still feel overwhelmed.

You can enjoy the gatherings and still need rest.

You can give generously and still protect your boundaries.

You can be grateful and still feel the heaviness of the season.

There is room for all of it.

Supporting yourself isn’t selfish, it’s foundational.

When you honour your energy, emotions, and needs, you create a calmer, more connected, more meaningful holiday experience for everyone around you.

If you’d love support navigating stress, overwhelm, and nervous system regulation this season, I’m here for you.