During the pre-Christmas rush, many people forget that holiday chores should feel uplifting rather than draining. December often brings peak stress levels, and even lengthy breaks do little to refresh the spirit. This insight comes from Irina Andrievskaya, a psychologist associated with Profi services, who spoke about the tendency to burn out when the season gets busy.
To avoid arriving in January as a drained, squeezed lemon, it helps to treat New Year preparations as a spark for motivation. Allow yourself to slip into the festive mood and the anticipation of a long-awaited holiday. The key is not to push gift shopping to the last moment, because last-minute scrambling can turn what should be joy into a form of emotional therapy that backfires in the end.
New Year celebrations usually involve a flurry of events, gatherings, and even travel. To protect time for genuine rest, it is wise to balance active outings with practices that support physical and mental well-being.
The psychologist recommends carving out moments in the schedule to fully replenish energy reserves. At the same time, sticking to a regular sleep routine and maintaining daily rituals can make the return to work or school feel less jarring and more manageable.
Quality rest means different things to different people. The important part is listening to one’s body and understanding what truly restores strength and calm after busy days and nights.
Some individuals choose to recharge during the holidays through active sports, lively city events, and visits to exhibitions. For those coping with social fatigue at work, retreating to a quiet countryside setting with a favorite book can be ideal. Trying new activities—such as yoga, drawing, or dancing—offers a fresh outlet. Long breaks also present a chance to pursue long-held ambitions that never found time before, as Andrievskaya noted.
For many, the New Year marks a fresh start. December often becomes a time to wrap up tasks so January can begin with a clear slate. Yet it is important to remember that New Year is just another day on the calendar. If certain tasks remain unfinished, there were reasons behind them, and they do not define one’s overall progress.
People should avoid basing their pace on popular bloggers who summarize trends online. Everyone moves at a different tempo, and even mistakes or losses can be reframed as learning opportunities. Rest without regret is essential; fatigue does not disappear simply because a new year begins, and guilt can sap energy that is better directed toward constructive outcomes.
New Year is also a family holiday, a reality that should be acknowledged during the preparation phase. Sharing the workload around the house can lighten the load for the host and help the celebration feel more enjoyable for everyone involved. Organizing menus, delegating shopping tasks, and giving younger family members opportunities to contribute with decorating can foster a sense of togetherness. In some households, men might be tasked with grocery trips while others handle other festive duties, and this practical teamwork makes the season feel less stressful and more festive.
In reflecting on the season, it is worth noting why some people feel hostility toward the New Year. The pressures to achieve perfection, the fear of letting others down, and the rapid pace of change can all contribute to unease. Recognizing these feelings can help individuals approach the holidays with more compassion toward themselves and a clearer plan for rest and recovery. The takeaway is simple: honor one’s limits, cultivate daily rituals, and approach the holidays with intention rather than burning the candle at both ends.