Feeling Burned Out This December? How to Care for Your Mind and Body Mid-Holiday
Coping With Holiday Overwhelm & Emotional Exhaustion
Mid-December hits differently.
The sparkle of the season is still there… but so is the pressure.
Work deadlines, school events, financial stress, family expectations, travel, sensory overload, and the emotional weight of trying to “make it all magical” can catch up fast.
If you’re feeling tired, irritable, numb, or overstretched right now…
You’re not broken.
You’re human.
And your nervous system is asking for support.
This week, let’s talk about what holiday overwhelm actually is, why it shows up, and how to care for yourself when you’re running on empty.
What Holiday Overwhelm Really Means
Overwhelm isn’t weakness.
It’s your body signaling that the demand has exceeded your current capacity.
And in December, those demands pile up quickly:
emotional labor
disrupted routines
social pressure
overstimulation
financial worries
unresolved family dynamics
grief that resurfaces
perfectionism
caregiving responsibilities
Your body isn’t failing you… it’s trying to keep you safe.
Signs You Might Be Emotionally Exhausted
Emotional exhaustion can look like:
Feeling “checked out” or numb
Being on edge over small things
Withdrawing from people you normally enjoy
Constant worry or irritability
Difficulty concentrating
Fatigue no amount of sleep fixes
Feeling behind, no matter how much you do
If any of these resonate, you’re not alone. Mid-December is prime time for emotional burnout.
How to Cope When Everything Feels Too Heavy
1. Lower the Bar — on Purpose
This is not the week for perfect.
This is the week for “good enough.”
Simplify where you can: meals, plans, expectations, gifts, to-do lists.
Trading perfection for presence is a mental health strategy, not a failure.
2. Take “Micro-Rest” Breaks Throughout the Day
Rest doesn’t have to be an hour long. Try these 60-second resets:
unclench your jaw
drop your shoulders
breathe in for 4, out for 6
step outside for one minute of fresh air
place a hand on your chest for a self-reassurance pause
Tiny moments of regulation can change the tone of your whole day.
3. Give Your Emotions Somewhere to Go
Overwhelm builds when feelings stay trapped.
Try:
a 2-minute brain dump in your notes app
a voice memo to yourself
crying (yes…your body often knows exactly what it needs)
talking to a friend
giving yourself permission to say, “This is a lot.”
You don’t have to be strong every moment.
4. Choose One Thing to Let Go Of
Ask yourself:
“What expectation is draining me the most right now — and what would happen if I softened it?”
You’re allowed to:
decline an event
scale down decorating
say no to extra commitments
choose a simpler version
disappoint someone in order to protect yourself
Your wellbeing matters too.
5. Create a Soft Landing at the End of Each Day
Exhaustion feels heavier when we go to bed in chaos and wake up right back in it.
Try a 3–5 minute “soft landing”:
dim the lights
stretch your body
make tea
light a candle
listen to one calming song
pet your dog or cat
put your phone down for the last 10 minutes of the day
Teach your body that the day has an ending.
A Gentle Reminder
You’re not meant to power through the entire holiday season without rest.
You’re not meant to carry everything alone.
You’re not failing if you’re tired… you’re carrying a lot.
Your nervous system isn’t asking you to be perfect.
It’s asking you to listen.