Holiday Stress Management for the Overwhelmed, Overthinking, Overcommitted Human (…Hi, It’s Me 👋)

If the holidays feel like a beautiful, chaotic, emotional circus every year… same.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve overcommitted myself straight into holiday burnout, but with a smile on my face because IT’S ALL SO FUN! And also… so completely exhausting.

Every December, my schedule becomes heavier and more demanding than I expect.

- I sing with the Christmas Jam of Utah band, which puts on a benefit concert to raise money for the homeless.There are rehearsals, self-paced practice sessions, vocal warm-ups in the car—you name it.

- Then I get asked to sing at church functions, which means even more practices. (At this point, I’m basically living on throat coat herbal tea and cough drops.)

- Add in the school activities, work parties, kid's parties, the neighbor gifts, the baking, the family gatherings, the friend gatherings, the gift shopping, the wrapping…

…all layered on top of managing hormones, moods, energy levels, running my business, homeschooling my kids, and navigating it all with a busy ADHD brain.

And every year... EVERY year... I forget at least one important gift or package. Which means I get the joy of paying $30–$40 to overnight it so it arrives on time. It’s practically a holiday tradition at this point. ADHD tax, anyone?! UGH!

The holidays are magical, meaningful, heart-filling…and also overstimulating, overwhelming, and exhausting if you don’t have a plan to protect your energy.

So here are five core strategies (ADHD-friendly and actually doable) to help you enjoy more of the magic and less of the meltdown.

1. Set Clear Boundaries (and Communicate Them Early)

Before everything ramps up, decide what you can and cannot take on this year.

Example:

“I’m excited to come, but I can only stay for two hours.”

Boundaries aren’t rude, they're protective. Your future self will thank you.

2. Plan “No-Obligation” Time

If rest isn’t scheduled, it won’t happen. Period.

Action Tip: Block 20–30 minutes of guilt-free alone time. Tea. A book. Music. Silence. Sitting in your car. Whatever works.

This tiny window acts like a pressure-release valve for your nervous system.

3. Outsource or Delegate What You Can

You do not have to be a party-of-one holiday production crew.

Ideas:

• Order groceries

• Buy pre-made desserts

• Ask others to bring dishes

• Use curbside pickup

• Hire gift-wrapping help

• Let someone else host

The less you’re managing alone, the more present you can be.

4. Create a Self-Care Toolkit

Build a small “emotional first-aid kit” you can reach for when stress spikes.

Include things like:

• a cozy blanket

• essential oils

• a journal

• your favorite tea

• a grounding object

• a fidget or sensory item

Keep it easily accessible for quick resets.

5. Embrace Imperfection (Seriously.)

The holidays do not have to be flawless. Let late gifts be late. Whoopity-doo! Let meals be simple. Let plans be flexible.

Connection, joy, warmth, laughter... those are the real highlights. Everything else is optional.

Want all 12 strategies? I’ll send them straight to your inbox.

These five are the essentials, but I have seven more powerful ADHD-friendly tools that can help you stay grounded, calm, and emotionally steady this holiday season.

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