Coping with Holiday Burnout

Individual Therapy
Written By Shikha Seeboruth

My very first client back after the holidays, described the stress of meeting her families, spending holidays with unhealthy partner, feeling the blues of going back to work, and the weather is not helping. As she was talking, she also started going down the rabbit hole of how she had to get divorce for her first toxic marriage, falling into the same pattern for being with unhealthy people, and how she has to manage everything and everyone.

Holiday Burnout is real. Just like my client, the stress of today can make you remember the stress of yesterday. A season that’s supposed to sparkle with joy, connection, and celebration. And yet, for many of us, it can feel like anything but. I’ve seen it time and time again in my work—clients walking into my office, drained instead of delighted, wondering how a time meant for happiness could leave them feeling so depleted.

It often starts innocently enough. You make plans—big plans. You picture the perfect holiday, filled with glowing lights, laughter, and memories to treasure. But then the to-do list grows. The costs pile up. Time slips through your fingers. Somewhere in the rush of shopping, hosting, and managing expectations, you lose yourself. You stretch your budget thin, buying gifts, hosting dinners, or traveling to see loved ones. Financial anxiety starts whispering in your ear, and soon it’s all you can hear.

Add to this the year-end reflections—what you did or didn’t accomplish this year—and it’s no wonder so many people feel overwhelmed. It’s like carrying a pile of heavy suitcases through an airport, only to realize you’re the one who packed them.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. This is holiday burnout—a heavy mix of stress, fatigue, and emotional overload that steals the magic of the season.


Give yourself moments of rest. Take time to breathe. Self-care does not stop just because it is the holidays.


The Signs It’s Time to Pause

Burnout doesn’t always announce itself loudly. Sometimes it shows up in subtle ways:

  • You wake up tired, no matter how much you sleep. Your body aches, or you can’t shake that nagging headache.

  • You find yourself snapping at loved ones or feeling sad for no apparent reason.

  • Tasks you used to enjoy—decorating, shopping, cooking—feel like climbing a mountain.

  • Or maybe you’re withdrawing, avoiding calls, skipping events, or turning to unhealthy habits just to cope.

These signs are your mind and body’s way of waving a white flag. They’re saying, “Stop. Something needs to change.”


Reclaiming Your Holidays: A Path to Healing

So, how do you find your way back to joy? It starts with letting go—letting go of perfection, of unrealistic expectations, of the idea that you have to do it all.

Instead, ask yourself: What truly matters to me this season? Is it the people you love? Quiet moments of peace? A sense of gratitude for what you have? Focus on those things, and let the rest fall away.

Take a hard look at your commitments. Which ones bring you joy, and which ones drain you? It’s okay to say no. You’re not obligated to attend every party or fulfill every request. Sometimes, protecting your peace is the most generous gift you can give yourself and others.

Money worries? They’re real, but there are ways to ease the pressure. Try thoughtful alternatives—handmade gifts, shared experiences, or simply spending quality time together. The best memories don’t come with a price tag.

And then there’s self-care—the thing we always push to the bottom of the list but need the most. Schedule downtime and treat it like a non-negotiable appointment. Go for a walk. Read a book. Sleep in. Eat nourishing meals. Take care of your body, and your mind will thank you.

If the weight of the season still feels too heavy, don’t carry it alone. Talk to someone you trust—a friend, a family member, or one of our stress and burnout therapist in Burlington or online. Set boundaries to protect your emotional well-being, like steering clear of sensitive topics at gatherings.


A Season Worth Remembering

Holiday burnout is common, but it doesn’t have to define your season. By recognizing your limits, setting boundaries, and focusing on what truly brings you joy, you can rewrite your story. This year, let the holidays be about connection, presence, and meaning—not perfection.

And if you need help along the way, know that support is always here for you. A therapist can help you navigate the stress and create a plan that feels right for you.

This season, give yourself permission to let go of the chaos and embrace the calm. Because the holidays aren’t about doing everything—they’re about feeling something beautiful. And that starts with taking care of you.

Shikha is a therapist/owner of The Therapeutic Way, Counselling and Psychotherapy Services. Her and her team are relationship and relational trauma therapists who works with individuals, couples, and families who have been on the receiving end of narcissistic abuse, gone through trauma, experiencing relationship issues, and experienced attachment wounds as a child or adult. Her team uses a trauma-informed and holistic approaches to help their clients.

Thinking of therapy? Schedule your free 20 mins consultation call to see how we can help.

For more information reach us at  info@thetherapeuticway.ca or call/text (289) 635-4660.

Therapy services: Online Anywhere in Ontario; Hamilton, ON; Burlington, ON, Oakville, ON; Mississauga, ON; Milton, ON.

 

  • Online therapy is as effective as in person therapy. What is most important with any format of therapy is the strong therapeutic relationship between you and your therapist. Online therapy is a good option when coming in-person is not feasible, when you have dependents at home, and it is also more convenient.

    At The Therapeutic Way, we offer online therapy and therapy by phone from the convenience of your home. Click here to learn more about our online therapy.

  • Not necessarily. Online therapy and in-person therapy are usually the same cost as their effectiveness are the same. Online therapy can also be most cost effective for the client as transportation is not involved. Now, there are therapy apps or programs that area available to clients that are cheaper than traditional therapy. However, the effectiveness of those programs are questionable, and they are most likely not covered by insurance.

    At The Therapeutic Way, we offer online therapy with a registered psychotherapist that is covered by most insurance providers and helps you save the cost of transportation.

  • There are many different types of therapist that you can choose from. Before reaching out to a therapist, it’s important to know what issue you would like to work on. A tip is to seek out a therapist who specializes the issue and problem you are facing with. For example, if you would like to work on trauma, a therapist who focuses on eating disorders may not be the best fit.

    It is also important to decide what type of therapist you are looking for, such as gender, experience, their approaches to therapy, etc. It’s also a good idea to check with your insurance provider which type of therapist they cover. A lot of therapists offer free consultation calls for you to decide they are a right fit.

    At The Therapeutic Way, we specializes in relationship issues, relational trauma, narcissistic abuse recovery, and attachment wounds. We work with adults, couples, and families over the age of 16.

  • The type of therapy that is best for you, depends on you as a person and the reason you are seeking therapy. There are different types of therapy, such as somatic-based therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, trauma-informed therapies, holistic therapy, existential therapy, and more. The type of therapy that is right for you will depend what you are looking for. While you may have an input in this, majority of the time the therapist will know what is best suited for you and will let you know.

    At The Therapeutic Way, we work with clients using an integrative approach to therapy, meaning using different modalities to suit your needs. We use a trauma-informed, holistic, and relational approach to working with you. Click here to learn more.

  • The term psychotherapy and counselling are often used interchangeably with some slight differences. Psychotherapy refers to the treatment based for psychological disorders and mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc. Counselling refers to wellness support and providing insights and clarity which leads to growth or personal betterment. At The Therapeutic Way, we provide both psychotherapy and counselling.

  • The difference between psychotherapist, psychologist, and psychiatrist, depends on education and scope of practice.

    Psychotherapist, psychologist, and psychiatrist can provide therapy called talk therapy.

    A psychotherapist can provide therapy under the College of Registered Psychotherapist of Ontario, a psychologist can provide therapy under the College of Psychologists of Ontario, and a psychiatrist can provide therapy under College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.

    Difference:

    Psychotherapist Education: Master’s Degree or higher

    Psychologist Education: PhD or PsyD.

    Psychiatrist: MD

    ————

    Psychotherapist: Can’t diagnose

    Psychologist: Can do assessment and diagnose

    Psychiatrist: Can do assessment, diagnose, and prescribe medication

    ————

    Psychotherapist Training: Counselling and focus on therapy techniques

    Psychologist: Focus on clinical research and assessment

    Psychiatrist: Use medical treatment such as prescribing medications for mental health conditions

    Before seeking help, it’s important to know what you need and are seeking. A consultation call can help you decide.

    At The Therapeutic Way, we are registered psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapist of Ontario.

Shikha Seeboruth
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