Finding Balance: Self-Care During the Holidays
As the year draws to a close, many of us find ourselves moving at a pace that feels anything but peaceful.
The holiday season can invite joy and connection—but it can also stir up exhaustion, overcommitment, and overstimulation.
At The Yogi OT™, we believe that self-care isn’t another item on your to-do list—it’s a way of living with intention. By combining the science of occupational therapy with the wisdom of yoga philosophy, we can navigate this busy season with greater presence, compassion, and balance.
1. Reconnecting to Occupation—The Meaningful Kind
In occupational therapy, occupations are the everyday activities that bring purpose and structure to our lives. During the holidays, our routines often shift—sometimes in ways that disrupt grounding habits like sleep, movement, or solitude.
Instead of striving to “do it all,” pause and ask:
Which activities truly nurture me right now?
Which ones drain my energy or create pressure?
Where might I give myself permission to simplify?
You might choose to skip the extra baking or wrapping session to make space for a quiet walk, journaling, or time on your mat. These small adjustments reflect occupational balance—matching your energy, time, and values to what matters most.
“Self-care isn’t about doing more.
It’s about aligning what you do with what truly matters.”
2. Practicing Ahimsa—Compassion Toward Yourself and Others
In yoga philosophy, Ahimsa means non-harming or compassion. It begins with how we treat ourselves.
The holidays can amplify feelings of guilt (“I should be doing more”), comparison (“They seem to have it all together”), or frustration (“I can’t keep up”).
Ahimsa invites us to meet those thoughts with gentleness:
Can I soften my inner dialogue?
Can I choose rest over perfection?
Can I allow others—and myself—to show up imperfectly?
Compassionate boundaries are also a form of Ahimsa. Saying “no” to one invitation may allow you to say “yes” to deeper peace.
3. Regulating Through the Body—Grounding the Nervous System
Both yoga and occupational therapy understand that the body is the gateway to regulation. When the nervous system feels safe, the mind can settle and the heart can open.
Try these grounding techniques when stress arises:
Five senses grounding: Name one thing you see, hear, feel, smell, and taste.
Gentle movement: Shoulder rolls, cat-cow stretches, or slow neck rotations to release tension.
Breath practice: Inhale for 4, exhale for 6 to activate your parasympathetic “rest and digest” system.
These practices don’t erase stress—they help you create steadiness within it.
4. Returning to Santosha—Contentment With What Is
Santosha, or contentment, reminds us to appreciate life as it unfolds instead of chasing an ideal version of the season.
From an OT perspective, this might mean adjusting expectations to fit your current capacity:
Maybe “holiday decorating” becomes lighting a single candle each night.
Maybe “family connection” is a brief phone call instead of a full day together.
Santosha invites enoughness—in our schedules, relationships, and selves.
5. Creating Rituals That Nourish
Rituals offer structure, meaning, and grounding during times of change. They can be as simple as:
Beginning your morning with three deep breaths before checking your phone.
Taking a short walk after meals to reconnect to your body.
Writing one thing you’re grateful for each evening.
In OT, these are intentional occupations—activities that support emotional regulation and belonging. In yoga, they are sadhana—daily practices that anchor us in presence.
6. Honoring Rest as a Practice
Perhaps the most radical form of self-care during the holidays is rest.
Both OT and yoga remind us that rest is not laziness—it’s essential for restoration and integration.
Allow yourself to take breaks from socializing, step away from screens, or simply rest in savasana. Rest gives your nervous system a chance to recalibrate and your mind space to return to clarity.
“Rest isn’t a reward for productivity—it’s a pathway to balance.”
Closing Reflection
Self-care during the holidays isn’t about adding more to your list—it’s about coming home to yourself.
Through the lens of occupational therapy, it’s creating balance and meaning in your daily occupations. Through yoga philosophy, it’s living with compassion, contentment, and awareness.
When we weave these practices together, we create a season that feels less about perfection—and more about presence.