"Tis the season to be jolly...and overworked, frazzled, exhausted, freezing, overcommitted, a little broke, and stressed out. The days are shorter, the nights colder, and the to-do lists longer. There are backyards to winterize, presents to buy, parties to attend, cookies to decorate, professional projects to wrap up, children's recitals and plays to attend, roofs to repair thanks to the first big storm, and end-of-the-year reviews to endure."
""Hypervigilance is wiping us out, affecting our sleep, motivation, concentration, and ability to connect with each other." Things can get particularly dicey as the holidays draw near or weather worsens. Our everyday routines are disrupted and we're left with chronic stress, theorizes Chang. That's why it's important to cultivate what she calls "intentional mood boosts." These small actions spark big joy."
The holiday season brings increased responsibilities, social demands, financial strain, and disrupted routines that intensify exhaustion and stress. Shorter days, colder weather, and lengthening to-do lists compound pressure and interpersonal friction. Constant exposure to current events and social media elevates anxiety and hypervigilance, impairing sleep, motivation, concentration, and the ability to connect. These factors contribute to burnout and a numbing disconnect. Small, intentional mood boosts—simple, low-cost, repeatable actions—can spark joy, restore energy, improve connection, and protect mental health during busy and stressful periods.
Read at Yoga Journal
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