The holidays should be a time of happiness and celebration, but for many people, they bring stress and exhaustion instead. Research shows that about 38% of people feel more stressed during the holiday season, and it’s easy to understand why.   

“Between shopping, cooking, decorating, and attending multiple events, the holidays can quickly become overwhelming,” said Dr. Ana Abril Arias, a primary care provider at Natividad Medical Group. “There’s a lot you can do to recognize and avoid burnout.”  

Warning Signs You Might Be Experiencing Holiday Burnout  

Holiday burnout happens when the demands of the season become too much to handle. Your body and mind will give you signals when you’re reaching your limit. Those signals could include:  

• Trouble sleeping, tired all the time, even after rest  

• Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected from things you usually enjoy  

• Changes in appetite  

• Difficulty focusing  

• Increased frustration  

• Getting sick frequently   

Tips for Protecting Yourself from Holiday Burnout  

The good news is that you can take steps to prevent holiday burnout before it starts. Here are a few tips to help you:  

• Set realistic expectations: you don’t need to create a perfect holiday.   

• Focus on what truly matters: spending quality time with people you care about.  

• Make a list of what you are trying to accomplish: Be honest about what you can actually do. It’s okay to say “no” to some invitations or traditions that don’t serve you.   

• Delegate: recruit other family members to take on specific tasks.   

• Try to maintain your regular routine as much as possible. Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, eat regular meals and make time for exercise. These healthy habits will help you stay healthy and keep you in a better place to handle holiday activities.  

• Take time for yourself. Keep 15 minutes each day just for you can really refresh your mind.   

• Spend a few minutes outside in nature  

• Write down to do lists in the day far away from bedtime  

Getting Help When You Need It  

If your stress feels unmanageable or you notice signs of depression, reach out to a mental health professional. Don’t let unreasonable expectations of holiday perfection push you to burnout. Set your boundaries and reach out if you need support to do that.    

Do You Need a Primary Care Provider?   

Contact Natividad Medical Group. We have two locations in Salinas and one in Prunedale. Our providers are accepting new patients now. Many of our staff and providers are bilingual!  

• Natividad Medical Group Sanborn (831) 751-6200  

• Natividad Medical Group Prunedale (831) 663-3926  

• Natividad Medical Group at Natividad (831) 759-0674