"Despite barely sleeping and having just returned to my high-stress job, I thought it would be a good idea to host both sets of out-of-town grandparents and my brothers-in-law at my house. It also seemed like a good idea to make Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas morning brunch, and Christmas Day appetizers, dinner, and dessert, while refusing all offers for help."
"The "Trait Cocktail" Behind Holiday Burnout Most personality psychologists agree that the best way to understand yourself is to know where you fall on the Big Five personality traits: neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness. You can think of your Big Five personality traits like sliders on a soundboard, each one set at its own level, creating the unique "mix" that makes you you."
High agreeableness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism combine to increase risk of holiday burnout by driving overcommitment, perfectionism, and emotional reactivity. The Big Five framework frames personality traits as adjustable 'sliders' that create unique mixes of behavior. Agreeableness promotes prioritizing others and refusing to disappoint; conscientiousness drives planning, control, and refusal of help; neuroticism amplifies worry and stress. Old family dynamics and seasonal pressures intensify these tendencies, producing sleep loss, overwhelm, and relentless obligations. Small, intentional behavior changes — accepting help, reducing commitments, and setting boundaries — can recalibrate trait-driven responses and make the season more enjoyable.
Read at Psychology Today
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