How to have a happier holiday part 2
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and it’s also one that can stir up stress, grief, and overwhelm. Recently I wrote a blog sharing a few mindset shifts from positive psychology around how to have a happier holiday.
For those feeling the emotional, relational, or even financial strain this season, here are a few more practical and research-backed ideas for a happier holiday.
Set a boundary. Actually say no to things we don’t truly want or need: the meeting, social obligation, or “should-do” that adds stress without much return. This is especially hard for us people-pleasers. But showing up depleted or resentful doesn’t serve anyone. When we set and communicate clear boundaries around what we will and won’t do, we protect energy for what matters most. We can’t pour from empty cups, and the holidays often ask us to pour extra.
Move your body. Movement is medicine for the mind. (Wish I could take credit for that one.) A daily walk, run, stretch, or yoga can quickly lift our mood and help us shift perspective. It’s not about “fixing” how we feel; it’s about refocusing. When the season feels heavy, movement is one of the most reliable ways to interrupt the body’s stress response. Physical regulation supports emotional regulation. Use the body to hack the mind.
Savor. Savoring doesn’t mean ignoring what’s hard. Joy and grief, for example, are not opposites; they can coexist. And because negative experiences tend to be louder and stickier, we have to be intentional about noticing what’s good. That might look like naming a moment while it’s happening, telling stories of past joy, or imagining something we’re looking forward to. Seeking joy gives us buffers of positive to offset the negative. It stretches the impact of good moments instead of letting them pass by unnoticed.
A happier holiday doesn’t mean a season free of stress or strain. It means creating the conditions for meaning and connection, and that’s where positive psychology comes in. By setting boundaries, moving our bodies, and noticing what’s good, we give ourselves a better chance at a holiday that feels lighter, more grounded, and more meaningful.
