How to take care of your mental health this holiday season

Dec 17, 2025

The holiday season is often portrayed as a joyful time, but for many, it can bring a mix of emotions and added stress. Between financial anxiety, coping with economic uncertainty, longing for connection, or managing grief or loss, the holidays can take a toll on our mental health.

If that resonates all too well, you’re not alone. There are many ways to protect your mental health and even find moments of peace, comfort, and connection.

Here are practical tips to take care of yourself during the holidays.

Be kind to yourself

• Give yourself permission to rest. If you’ve had a challenging or hectic year, it’s okay to slow down, have quiet evenings, stay home, or skip social events.
• Set aside time to rest and relax. Whether it’s curling up with a book, taking a walk, journaling, or simply sitting quietly and breathing, make time to do the little things that fill your cup.

Maintain healthy routines

• Try to keep up with regular sleep, eating, and movement. Although schedules are busy and your usual routine may be disrupted, prioritizing sleep and physical activity is key to maintaining emotional well-being.
• If weather or time feels limited, aim for small movement: a walk, light stretching, or a snowy stroll. There’s many mood-boosting benefits of getting active.

Manage financial and time pressures thoughtfully

• Set a realistic budget for gifts, events, and gatherings and stick to it.
• Create new traditions that aren’t based on overspending or overconsuming. Homemade gifts, shared experiences, or low-cost activities can be just as meaningful, and often more so.
• It’s okay to say “no.” You don’t have to go to every party, spend beyond what you can afford, or pretend to feel festive if you don’t. There’s no checklist, or “right way” to celebrate. Instead, think about what feels right for you.

Connect with others

Reach out to those you care about. Call a friend, schedule a catch up, or find a community group. Studies show that strong social connections can lead to better health and longer life.[1]

• If big gatherings feel overwhelming, suggest smaller, simpler get-togethers that feel more manageable.
• Offer support. Volunteering or helping someone feel less alone can bring purpose and connection. Research shows that acts of kindness have a positive affect your own mental well-being.[2]

Check in with your feelings

• Naming, expressing and dealing with our emotions, even when they’re uncomfortable, can make us feel better.[3]
• Consider journaling, art, meditation, or simply talking to someone you trust.
• Create a “mental health toolbox” for yourself to help on the tougher days. Think of activities, routines, coping strategies and supports you can use to help navigate difficult feelings.

Help is available

If the holidays feel overwhelming, remember that help is available and you don’t have to face hard feelings alone.

If you or someone you love is struggling, please contact your local CMHA.

9-8-8 is for anyone who is thinking about suicide, or who is worried about someone they know. Connect to a responder to get help without judgement. Call or text 9-8-8 toll-free, anytime for support in English or French. For more information, visit 988.ca.

Sources

[1] https://www.who.int/news/item/30-06-2025-social-connection-linked-to-improved-heath-and-reduced-risk-of-early-death

[2] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12006342/

[3] https://cmha.ca/news/understand-your-emotions-understand-yourself/