My social media feeds this week have been flooded with people feeling burnout from holiday overload. The baking, the shopping, the decorating, the wrapping…. don’t even get me started on the socializing! This has got me to thinking about if and when it has all become too much. A quick Google search confirms that the holiday overload is getting to even the most festive of us. As the season wraps up, most of us are wiped out.

This year in particular, I felt an overwhelming urge for the holidays to be over, despite and enjoyable holiday with family and friends-cue, packing up all of the decoration on December 26th. Before you write me off as a holiday scrooge, consider this: “according to Canadian Mental Health Association, 52% of Canadians report feelings of anxiety, depression and isolation during the holiday season” and studies show that 63% of Canadians perceive the holidays as being more stressful than tax season. This can be attributed to a busy work schedule, added holiday tasks and increased financial strain as a result of gift giving and hosting. It makes sense that on some level, we are ready for it to be over and done with.

Recently during a chat with a close friend, I mentioned that I was feeling particularly exhausted the week leading up to Christmas, her response was that this makes sense. “Look at it this way”, she said. “Mammals are often slowing down, even hibernating during the winter months, but we are shifting into high gear”. The more I thought about this, the more realized she was right. Logically, I understand that longer, colder, darker days impact my exhaustion levels, but what do I actually do about it? (She sent me links for vitamin D and omega 3, so that’s a start).

As we look forward to a new year, I began thinking about what intentions I will set for the new year and if I really could take my own advice and slow down. Typically, I manage stress through exercise, relaxation techniques and increasing natural happiness chemicals. Did you know that the body releases dopamine (reward chemicals) when we engage in self care, complete a task or eat food? Oxytocin (love hormones) is released when we hold hands, hug, play with a baby or snuggle pets.  Serotonin (mood stabilizers) is naturally released in the body through exercise, sun exposure and being in nature. Endorphins (pain killers) are released when we use essential oils, laugh and eat dark chocolate. These are all great ways to boost our mood when feeling the post-holiday crunch.  Setting boundaries can be difficult, but saying no and listening to our bodies when they have had enough is an important step towards rejuvenation. Hibernation doesn’t sound like a bad plan at all. I’m planning to skip the party, sleep in, have some much-needed couch time and lean into the slower, quieter days and encourage you to do the same.