December 24 carries a lot of weight. Expectations, traditions, family dynamics, memories, and pressure to feel a certain way. For some, it’s joyful. For others, it’s stressful, lonely, or emotionally loaded. And for many, it’s all of that at once.
If the festive days feel intense rather than magical, nothing is wrong with you. The nervous system reacts to change, social demand, and emotional contrast. Holidays amplify what is already present – connection, but also absence; warmth, but also old wounds.
The key to enjoying the festive days is not forcing happiness. It’s giving yourself permission to experience them in a way that feels honest and supportive.
Here are practical, grounded ways to move through December 24 and the festive days with more ease – whether you’re surrounded by people or spending time alone.
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Redefine what “enjoyment” means: Enjoyment doesn’t have to look like excitement or constant cheer. Sometimes it’s calm. Sometimes it’s relief. Sometimes it’s simply not pushing yourself past your limits. Let this day be good enough, not perfect.
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Lower the emotional performance bar: You don’t owe anyone a specific mood. If you feel tired, quiet, or reflective, that’s allowed. Emotional authenticity regulates the nervous system far better than pretending.
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Create one anchor moment: Choose one small thing you can look forward to – a walk, a favorite meal, a candle, music, a warm shower. One intentional moment gives your body something steady to lean into.
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Manage social energy consciously: If you’re with others, take breaks. Step outside. Breathe. If you’re alone, add gentle structure to the day so time doesn’t stretch into emptiness. Both overstimulation and under-stimulation can increase stress.
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Limit comparison triggers: Festive days intensify comparison, especially through social media. Reducing input protects your emotional bandwidth and keeps your focus on what actually supports you.
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Let your body release pressure: Stress lives in the body. Slow breathing, stretching, or placing a hand on your chest sends a signal of safety. Regulation starts physically, not mentally.
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Allow mixed emotions: You can feel grateful and sad. Connected and lonely. Calm and irritated. The nervous system relaxes when it’s allowed complexity instead of being forced into one feeling.
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Give yourself permission to opt out: You are allowed to say no, arrive later, leave earlier, or change plans. Boundaries are not rejection – they are self-respect.
From a therapeutic perspective, festive stress and loneliness are linked to heightened nervous system activity and social expectation. Studies show that holidays increase emotional load and self-evaluation, especially in adults with high responsibility or relational sensitivity.
RTT works well around this time of year because it addresses the subconscious beliefs that get activated by family roles, obligation, and old emotional patterns. When those beliefs soften, the festive days become easier to navigate.
December 24 doesn’t have to be fixed. It doesn’t have to be magical. It just needs to be survivable, kind, and real. That alone can make it meaningful.
For deeper support around emotional regulation and subconscious patterns, visit https://coachkitty.nl to explore my work and book a free consultation call. For a scientific perspective on holiday stress and emotional load, see this APA article on holiday stress and mental health:
