Remember When December Felt Simple?
When did the holidays stop feeling joyful? This is part 1 of our two-part series on reclaiming rest, peace, and presence during the holidays.
Once upon a time, this season was about slowing down, writing cards by hand, gathering with friends, taking time to breathe.
Now, it’s a marathon of logistics and expectations. Between travel plans, shopping lists, and social commitments, it’s no wonder most of us enter January completely drained.
But this isn’t just nostalgia. Research shows we’ve actually become more stressed and less happy during the holidays than generations before us.
The Shift: How Our Holidays Got So Busy
In the 1950s and 60s, the average family exchanged a few thoughtful gifts, hosted one or two gatherings, and spent the days between Christmas and New Year’s resting. Phones were on hooks, shops were closed, and “unavailable” was a normal state of being.
Today, we live in an always-on world. The holidays start in October, inboxes never sleep, and social media bombards us with images of “perfect” trees, “perfect” meals, and “perfect” families.
We’ve traded simplicity for performance. Presence for perfection. Peace for pressure.
And the data backs that up:
-
A 2023 American Psychological Association poll found that 41% of adults said their stress levels increase during the holidays.
-
An American Heart Association survey reported that 63% of people find the holidays more stressful than tax season.
-
Nearly 80% admit they overlook their own health while focusing on creating special moments for others.
-
Sleep studies show that roughly one-third of people sleep less and experience physical and mental health declines during December.
We think of this as normal… but it’s not.
What All That Stress Does to Your Body
Holiday stress isn’t only mental. It’s physical.
When your body is constantly juggling to-dos, travel, finances, and family dynamics, your nervous system shifts into survival mode.
Cortisol (the stress hormone) stays elevated. Heart rate increases. Digestion slows. Sleep suffers.
Short bursts of stress are fine – even healthy – but long periods of it cause inflammation, weaken the immune system, and can affect your mood and energy long after the holidays are over.
That’s why the first few weeks of January often feel heavy, foggy, or emotional. Your body is recovering.
In fact, cardiology data shows that heart-related incidents spike between Christmas and New Year’s, even in countries where it’s summer – suggesting the season itself, not just the weather, plays a role.
And still, we push through. We say yes to everything, run on sugar and caffeine, and promise ourselves we’ll rest “after.”
Why You’re Not the Problem — The System Is
Here’s what’s important to remember: you’re not failing.
You’re living inside a system that equates love with effort and worth with productivity.
For decades, women especially have been told that creating joy for others is their holiday role – cooking, decorating, buying, hosting.
We’ve been conditioned to believe that if we just manage it all a little better, we’ll finally feel the magic we remember.
But joy doesn’t come from control.
It comes from space. From quiet. From connection that isn’t scheduled down to the minute.
And that’s what most of us are missing – the pause between the chaos.
The Cost of Ignoring the Pause
When we ignore the body’s need to slow down, we pay for it in subtle ways:
-
Poor sleep and low energy.
-
Mood swings, irritability, or emotional crashes.
-
Digestive issues or burnout that linger into the new year.
-
Feeling “off” even when things look fine on the outside.
Stress accumulates. Without intentional rest, it builds like static in your system – leaving you wired and tired at the same time.
But when you intentionally give your body, mind, and heart a break, everything starts to reset.
Your nervous system recalibrates. Your creativity comes back online. You start the new year clear, not depleted.
A Different Kind of Holiday Is Possible
Imagine a December that feels lighter. Where you wake up to the sounds of Costa Rica, you stretch and move your body before breakfast, and take your coffee watching the sunrise instead of scrolling emails.
Imagine time carved out just for you: no pressure to perform, no lists to check, no guilt for resting.
Just space to breathe again.
That’s what we create at Anamaya Resort in Costa Rica: space to rest, restore, and remember who you are beneath the noise.
Winter Escape Holiday Retreat with Cristiane Machado
Release the weight of the year through gentle movement, soulful workshops, and an intention-setting ritual that reconnects you to what truly matters.
→ Learn More About the Holiday Retreat
New Year’s Retreat with Colynn Cespedes
If you’re craving clarity and a fresh start, this retreat is your reset. Through grounding practices and manifestation workshops, you’ll let go of what’s no longer serving you and step into the new year renewed and ready.
→ Explore the New Year’s Retreat
Why Your Future Self Will Thank You
These retreats fill quickly, especially this time of year.
Booking now gives you peace of mind – and something beautiful to look forward to.
Saying yes today means giving yourself permission to rest, reset, and return home to yourself.
Because joy doesn’t just happen. You create it – by choosing differently.
Keep an eye out for Part 2 of this series, where we’ll explore how to truly restore your energy and start the new year centered, grounded, and inspired.
Resources
-
American Psychological Association (APA): “Stress in America: Holiday Edition,” 2023.
-
Time Magazine: “Why More People Die of Heart Disease Around Christmas,” 2023.
-
Pew Research Center: “Celebrating Christmas Then and Now,” 2013.
About the Author
Written by Kelsey Matheson, entrepreneur, life and business coach for women, and co-founder & co-owner of Anamaya Resort, a world-renowned wellness and yoga retreat center in Costa Rica. Through her coaching and programs, Kelsey helps women align their purpose, business, and lifestyle so they can create success on their own terms.
