Christmas should be a season of joy, but it can also bring stress, anxiety, and overwhelm for many adults juggling endless to-do lists, family gatherings, and financial pressures.
Perhaps it’s time to remember holiday self-care so you are ready for 2025.
Even if it’s not a time that you celebrate, because there are so many busy people, chaotic shoppers, and people talking about Christmas, this time can also impact you.
Added to this, if you don’t celebrate Christmas due to your religion, your children may ask why they don’t have a Christmas tree with lights and presents when they see others celebrating.
Personal commitments over the holiday season can be overwhelming for some people. It sends their stress levels soaring as the demands on time, effort, and finances increase.
High levels of stress are not good. High stress levels can lead to more coughs, colds and illness. Furthermore, high levels of stress over the Christmas period could be a trigger for heart attacks (myocardial infarctions). So today is the time to consider what you can do to feel calmer.
Hi, I’m Linda, a hypnotherapist, counsellor, and coach. I help many people with stress around the Christmas period.
I know that hypnotherapy offers practical strategies to help you navigate this busy season so that you can feel calmer and in more control.
Here are five ways hypnotherapy can assist you in finding tranquillity amidst the Christmas chaos.
1. Manage Holiday Stress with Relaxation Techniques
The holiday season can elevate stress levels due to increased responsibilities and expectations. This can lead to muscular tension and tension headaches.
There are many ways that hypnotherapy can help you reduce stress.
Hypnotherapy provides progressive muscular relaxation techniques that can help reduce cortisol levels, the body’s primary stress hormone.
Progressive muscular relaxation is a process of focusing on the muscles or areas of your body to help you relax these areas through positive suggestions. It’s usually very effective in helping people to relax quickly.
In addition, many hypnotherapists provide psychoeducation that enables you to understand the stress response and how hypnosis helps.
You can also learn deep breathing exercises, self-hypnosis and visualisation methods that promote relaxation through guided sessions. Some hypnotherapists also combine counselling, coaching and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT or tapping).
Another approach used by some hypnotherapists is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). CBT is a form of counselling to help you consciously adjust your negative thoughts and beliefs.
These techniques can be particularly beneficial after a busy day at work.
2. Improve Sleep During the Holiday Season
Many people contact me about problems with sleep because stress and the additional demands on you at Christmas can upset your sleep pattern. It may also mean you have difficulty getting to sleep or wake up at night and can’t go back to sleep.
Again, many hypnotherapists help you understand sleep hygiene techniques. This means you can learn to prepare your bedroom for the right temperature, remove distractions and get ready for sleep.
During hypnosis for sleep problems, a hypnotherapist will guide you to a relaxed state and enable you to release stressors to return to your usual sleep pattern. Hypnotherapy can help you to improve your mood and reduce anxiety. However, if the problem has been going on for a long time, you may need more sessions and other techniques, such as regression, might be used.
Many hypnotherapists will teach you self-hypnosis. So, by incorporating self-hypnosis into your routine, you can establish a pre-sleep ritual that prepares your mind and body for restful sleep, ensuring you wake up rejuvenated and ready to enjoy the festivities.
Hypnotherapy addresses these issues by calming the mind and reducing overactive thoughts that hinder sleep.
3. Boost Emotional Resilience for Family Gatherings
I’ve heard many people tell me that family gatherings during the holidays can sometimes be sources of tension or emotional triggers.
Hypnotherapy helps build emotional resilience, enabling you to handle challenging interactions with composure.
By reframing negative thought patterns and enhancing self-confidence, hypnotherapy empowers you to engage in family events positively, fostering healthier relationships and more enjoyable experiences.
4. Combat Overwhelm with Mindful Hypnosis Techniques
The multitude of tasks during Christmas can lead to feelings of overwhelm.
Hypnotherapy incorporates mindfulness techniques that ground you in the present moment, reducing anxiety about upcoming responsibilities.
Simple exercises, such as focusing on a calming word or visualising a peaceful scene, can be employed during stressful moments, helping you maintain clarity and focus amidst the holiday hustle.
5. Set Boundaries and Prioritise Self-Care
It’s easy to overextend yourself during the holidays, leading to burnout.
Hypnotherapy empowers you to set healthy boundaries and prioritise self-care without guilt.
By aligning your actions with your values and goals, hypnotherapy enables you to say “no” when necessary and create space for activities that nurture your well-being, ensuring you can fully enjoy the season.
Incorporating hypnotherapy into your holiday preparation can transform your Christmas experience from stress to a more manageable time.
If you’re ready to embrace a calmer Christmas, consider scheduling a hypnotherapy session or exploring guided recordings to begin your journey towards an enjoyable holiday time.
Holiday self-care checklist
Only you know what you need to do to reduce your stress now.
Don’t let the Christmas holiday stress you more than you can handle.
Here is a holiday self-care checklist that can help, but if you would like to know more about hypnotherapy, counselling or coaching and how it could help you over the Christmas period, please get in touch with me for a free initial consultation.
Finally, wherever you are, whatever your beliefs around Christmas, I hope you have a calm and happy time.
Holiday Self-care Checklist
| I am eating a well-balanced diet. |
| I don’t skip meals or forget to drink water. |
| I am giving myself enough sleep time. |
| I say ‘no’ when I feel overwhelmed. |
| I politely refuse party invitations if I feel too tired and know I can’t cope. |
| I exercise every week, even if it’s only going for a walk. |
| I have some ‘me’ time daily. |
| I talk with my close friends or family if I feel lonely. |
| I do not abuse my body by getting drunk, overeating or taking illegal drugs. |
| I practice deep breathing exercises daily. |
