How to Survive December 2025: Wellness Tips for a Calmer, More Restful Festive Season

December shows up every year, wrapped in twinkly fairy lights and festive music. 

Yes, “it’s the most wonderful time of the year.”

It’s also a month where people feel overwhelmed, anxious, burnt out, stretched thin, and emotionally wobbly… and pretend they’re fine.

While the world encourages celebration, the rest of us are secretly struggling with anxiety, stress, exhaustion, and rubbish sleep. 

And if pressure or routine changes already mess with your head, the holidays can amplify those emotions even more.

If that sounds like you, you’re not broken.

December is hard.

The good news? There are ways to get through it gently.

Let’s talk about how, and what you can actually do to get through December with more calm, more sleep, and a whole lot more compassion for yourself. 

Why December Feels Like A Lot

Although December is often painted as joyful and magical, there’s several reasons it can trigger stress or anxiety. 

Here’s what no one says out loud:

1. The social pressure sucks

A sudden jump in the number of social events can be draining, especially if you deal with anxiety, or find it hard to say no. Expectations to be cheerful or outgoing can feel exhausting.

2. Your routine goes out the window

Travel, gatherings, late nights, and irregular meals disrupt your internal rhythm and your sleep. This alone can heighten anxiety and make you feel “off.”

3. Money gets tight, fast

December can be expensive. The pressure to give generously, or create a perfect holiday can lead to financial worry and emotional strain.

4. Emotional triggers and loneliness

The holidays can bring up memories, grief, complicated family dynamics, or feelings of isolation - all amplified under twinkling fairy lights.

5. You’re already burnt out

Most people limp into December already on fumes, and then the holidays show up asking for more. 

6. The sun disappears

Short days and long nights = lower mood, lower energy, and worse sleep.

Any of this hit home? Welcome, you’re human.

How to stay sane in December

1. Guard your routine like it’s your last piece of chocolate

When everything feels like chaos, consistency becomes a powerful anchor. 

Try to maintain a stable bedtime and wake time. And before you ask, yes, that means weekends too.

Build a calming nighttime ritual: dim lighting, warm shower, cosy blanket, soft music.

Your body thrives on rhythm. Give it one it can rely on.

2. Drop the “perfect” December

Seriously, no one’s December looks like a Christmas advert. Perfection is a heavy burden. 

You don’t need the perfect symmetrical tree, gifts, photos, or schedule. You don’t need to feel festive 24/7 either. Rest is a valid December plan.

Celebrate (or don’t) in a way that actually feels good.

2. Say “no” more often

You don’t owe anyone a high-energy version of yourself, and you can’t please everyone.

Say yes to what nourishes you, and no to what overwhelms you.

Try this line:

“Thank you for inviting me,  I’m keeping things gentle this year and won’t be able to make it.”

Protecting your own energy is an act of self-care and respect that you will thank yourself for later.

5. Use simple anxiety soothing techniques 

Ease your mind during overwhelming moments with quick, effective strategies:

• Box breathing: inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4
  
  5-4-3-2-1 grounding: identify senses around you
  

• Progressive muscle relaxation before bed
  

• Warmth therapy: warm blanket, heating pad, bath
  
  

Warmth and breath are powerful tools for calming the nervous system.

6. Create quiet, calming moments

December can be noisy, crowded, and overstimulating. You can’t always control that, but you can balance the chaos with pockets of calm.

Try:

• A cup of tea or hot chocolate in absolute silence
  

• Reading under a warm blanket
  

• Living room yoga or gentle stretching
  

• Soft lighting + your favourite playlist
  

• Breathing exercises + meditation
  
  

These little resets soothe the nervous system and restore mental clarity.

7. Chase the daylight

Daylight is like medicine. It’s essential for your mood and your sleep. 

Try:

• Getting outside within an hour of waking
  

• Taking a short daylight walk during breaks

• Using a light therapy lamp if sunlight is limited

Light stabilises your circadian rhythm and boosts emotional resilience.

8. Stay connected (in a way that works)

If December feels lonely or emotionally heavy, you don’t have to deal with it in silence.

Reach out to someone supportive, or plan gentle, low-pressure connections that won’t drain your social battery.

Think a short phone call, a cosy coffee date, online communities, or just a message to someone who “gets it”.

Connection, even if it's small or quiet, matters.

8. Be mindful (but not guilty) with alcohol

Firstly, it’s completely normal to drink more in December and overindulge in food. December has a funny way of turning every gathering into a drinking occasion. Work events, family dinners, and “quick catch-ups” that somehow end in a bottle of wine.

Here’s something important:

You don’t need to feel guilty. Overindulging in December is… kinda what humans have always done. 

But, remember: alcohol can sneakily affect your sleep, mood and anxiety the next day. 

So, instead of guilt, try awareness. 

Be aware of how certain drinks make you feel the next day, pace yourself, and try to keep some events alcohol-free to give your mind a chance to reset..

And if you do drink too much occasionally? Forgive yourself quickly, hydrate, and move on.

If you’re not a drinker, don’t let the season pressure you into anything. Your wellbeing comes first, and your choice is just as valid. No explanation needed.

How to sleep better during December

Good sleep is one of the strongest protections against anxiety, and December is notorious for wrecking it. Here's how you can keep your nights restful:

Keep your bedroom cool and calm

A stable sleep environment helps calm an overstimulated mind. Remove any clutter, keeping your bedroom clean and tidy with as little stimulants as possible. Use a light therapy lamp to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). These lights mimic daylight to improve mood, energy and alertness. 

Wind down early

Screens, bright lights, and evening caffeine all interfere with sleep hormones. Create a relaxing routine by dimming the lights and engaging in calming activities like reading, listening to music or taking a warm bath. You can even try practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing or planning your next day to clear your mind. 

Use a weighted blanket or cosy bedding

Weighted blankets can help promote relaxation, reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality through a therapeutic technique called deep pressure stimulation. By mimicking the feeling of a comforting hug, it can calm your nervous system, reduce restlessness and provide security. Most importantly, they encourage the production of serotonin (the happy hormone) and melatonin (the sleepy hormone), whilst decreasing cortisol levels (the stress hormone). The perfect recipe for a good night's sleep. 

Try calming scents or herbal teas

Lavender, chamomile, and mint all contain ingredients which help signal to the body “it’s time to slow down.” If you don’t fancy a hot drink before bed, you can get some good quality lavender pillow sprays or essential oils to put into your diffusers. 

Do a brain dump before bed

There's nothing worse than going to sleep with your mind racing, circling the tasks you need to complete tomorrow - we’ve all been there. Grab your favourite pen, a notebook and start writing tomorrow's to-do list. I know it sounds boring, but writing down your thoughts is an annoyingly effective way to organise mental clutter, process the day's emotions and compartmentalise. Transfer your worries onto paper and create a psychological distance from them.

Stick to your sleep schedule

It’s the simplest, most effective way to improve both sleep quality and anxiety. Your body has a sleep-wake cycle, it's called your circadian rhythm (basically your body's internal clock). By keeping to a regular sleep schedule, it helps your clock function more efficiently, making it easier to fall asleep and wake up feeling refreshed. A consistent schedule can improve your mood, cognitive function, physical recovery, whilst also protecting you against stress, mood disorders and long term health problems. 

A Gentle Reminder

December doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t have to be loud, festive, or sparkly.
You are allowed to experience this month in a way that feels slow, cosy, and nurturing.

If your December looks different from what others expect, that’s okay.
If all you can manage is rest and simplicity, that’s enough.
If you need more support, remember that reaching out is a strength, not a failure.

Your wellbeing comes first, and your December can reflect that.