The holiday season is often referred to as the most wonderful time of the year. As the leaves start to fall and the chilly, crisp air signals the arrival of winter, a palpable sense of anticipation fills the atmosphere. Slowly but surely, towns and cities become illuminated in twinkling lights, and people start to prepare for all of the festivities with family and friends.
Amid the decorations and merriment, it is important to acknowledge that the holidays can also bring about their fair share of stress. As we work to balance life’s daily demands alongside all of the extra pressures that come with gift-giving and family get-togethers, the winter months can start to feel like a major juggling act, and we can lose sight of the little things that make this time of year so special.
That said, if things start to feel too overwhelming this holiday season, try to remember that even though the holidays are all about giving and spending time with loved ones, it is just as important to give back to yourself. In an attempt to help you slow down and de-stress, here are 16 self-care and mindfulness tips – one for each personality type – to help you stay grounded and truly savor the beauty of the holiday season.
Before grounding yourself in mindfulness, it may be helpful to learn your personality type. Take our free personality test to find out now.
Analyst Personality Types
Architect (INTJ)
Architects are not huge fans of conventional norms and traditions. These straightforward personalities also tend to have little patience for some of the over-the-top social pleasantries that inevitably come along with holiday festivities.
That said, Architects tend to take great pride in their own traditions. So if you find yourself stressed out by an overpacked, tedious social schedule this wintertime, give yourself permission to say no to the things that you don’t like and make up your own celebratory rituals instead. Maybe skip your office party, stay home, make a fire, and curl up with your favorite thought-provoking novel. Or if you are wanting to connect with others, reach out to your closest friends and organize a holiday trivia night. The point here is to save your energy for the holiday events that make you feel excited to celebrate in a way that resonates with you.
Logician (INTP)
Logicians might have a million things on their mind during the holidays. These freethinking personality types tend to get stressed out by the various external expectations that come from gift-giving, family get-togethers, and fancy Christmas parties.
In an attempt to shake off the stress, Logicians might consider shifting their perspective about the holidays and embracing the celebrations in a way that feels authentic to them. Shut off the criticism and observe the joy as being legitimate in its own right. Buy someone a gift when you feel inspired to do so, instead of overthinking it and talking yourself out of it. Lean into what feels right about the holidays for you.
Commander (ENTJ)
As self-avowed perfectionists, Commanders tend to have high expectations for their holiday festivities and a detailed plan for how they are going to make them a reality. Their high standards and desire for efficiency can make the holidays stressful for them if things just don’t seem to be going according to plan.
To stay centered during the most wonderful time of the year, Commander personalities might consider setting aside a few minutes every morning to set an affirmation for their day. You might use the same affirmation every day or something new to shake things up. Either way, these affirmations can serve as reminders for you to loosen your grip when it comes to controlling the outcomes of the season and to focus on the joy, the love of family and friends, and the spirit of giving instead. For example, you could use the affirmation, “I release my attachment to specific outcomes,” or “I am open to change and the new challenges that it brings my way.”
Debater (ENTP)
Debaters are the most likely personality type to say they find the holidays relaxing. This might be because these personalities are great at adapting to different environments, they love being able to connect with a diverse mix of family and friends, and they actually enjoy some of the more controversial conversations that are almost bound to happen during holiday get-togethers. Consequently, the main challenge that Debaters may face during the holidays might be finding a way to engage in activities that give them the excitement and controversy that they desire without taking things too far.
To help them balance their own good time with keeping the holiday spirit alive, Debaters might consider practicing mindful listening when they are engaging with others this winter season. Focus your attention on the people you are speaking with, and allow yourself to be genuinely curious about what they are saying and why they are saying it. This helps people feel seen, understood, and open to more discussion. It also means that you will likely be able to engage in more interesting and intellectual conversations with depth, honesty, and perhaps even a bit of verbal sparring.
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Diplomat Personality Types
Advocate (INFJ)
Advocates tend to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. During the winter months, these personalities might feel overwhelmed by the wastefulness of the holidays or the emphasis on consumerism that comes with gift-gifting and buying decorations. Even so, they still want to make sure that the people in their lives feel seen and loved, so they might feel the pull to participate in all of the seemingly consumerist traditions.
If Advocates happen to find themselves simultaneously worrying about the world at large and all of the other people in their personal lives during the holidays, they might consider spending a few quiet minutes alone at the beginning and end of every day to ground themselves by writing down five things that they are grateful for. Take a moment, sit down, and reflect on all of the little things in your life that make it special – the people, the small acts of kindness, the simple moments of connection with the natural world, or whatever the case may be. This can help keep you rooted in your joy and remind you that even though the world is far from perfect, it is still beautiful and filled with so much good.
Mediator (INFP)
The holidays often inspire feelings of peace and goodwill, aligning with Mediators’ values of harmony and compassion. Even so, these sensitive personalities might struggle to keep up with all of the social demands of the festive season. If they happen to feel overextended or perhaps even disconnected from dealing with too many superficial interactions, they might find themselves emotionally drained and struggling to enjoy the elements of the holidays that actually feed their soul.
As an outlet for their emotions and as a way to decompress, Mediators can allocate some time to engage in a daily creative activity. You might try journaling, drawing, painting, or even making some homemade gifts for your loved ones. Put on some music (or make your own), unplug from your phone and social media, quiet your mind, and let your creative freak flag fly.
Protagonist (ENFJ)
With their altruistic nature, Protagonists typically enjoy the giving spirit of the holiday season. They also revel in the extra time that they get to share with family and friends. However, they might become overwhelmed during the holidays if they invest too much emotional energy into sharing their beliefs or making sure that the people in their lives are taken care of.
In moments when the extra emotional load of the holidays feels like just too much, Protagonist personality types might consider taking a step back from it all and prioritizing self-care. Make yourself a home-cooked meal. Book a massage. Invite some friends over to do face masks and watch holiday movies. Self-care can even look as simple as making yourself a cup of coffee in the morning. The trick is to turn the everyday tasks that you might do unconsciously into opportunities to quiet your busy mind, connect with yourself and the people in your life, and savor the present.
Campaigner (ENFP)
Due to their innate desire for deep connections, Campaigners usually enjoy the holiday season – a time characterized by love, celebration, and camaraderie. However, amid the festive cheer, these perceptive personalities might sometimes move out of alignment with what they really want or believe if they worry too much about other people’s opinions or feelings.
When they find themselves prioritizing other people’s feelings over their own, Campaigners can take a beat to actively bring themselves back to the present with a mindful breathing exercise. Stop what you are doing, sit down, and close your eyes. Take an inhale through your nose to the count of four and then a long exhale out of your mouth to the count of eight. The longer exhale serves to calm you down by activating the parasympathetic nervous system. Repeat this process for a few minutes until you feel calm, centered, clear, and connected to your internal sense of self.
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Sentinel Personality Types
Logistician (ISTJ)
Logisticians are the most likely personality type to say they think the holidays are stressful. This may be because of their strong sense of duty and commitment to responsibilities. They might feel obligated to ensure that all holiday traditions and plans are executed perfectly, which can place an immense amount of pressure on their shoulders. To add to their load, if their family and friends don’t uphold their own responsibilities with the same dedication, Logisticians might find themselves picking up even more slack.
People with the Logistician personality type can try to relax and savor the moment by making a conscious effort to balance their responsibilities with fun this holiday season. Make sure to set aside time to engage in activities that you know you will enjoy. And if it feels like you don’t have enough time, you can at least make sure to reward yourself for all your hard work. At the end of the day, regardless of the state of your to-do list, heat up a festive cup of hot chocolate, eat some of your delicious holiday cookies, or give yourself whatever treat you know will make you feel good.
Defender (ISFJ)
Defenders are the second most likely personality type to say that the winter holidays are their favorite time of year. They love getting to spend time with family and friends and often go out of their way with gifts and thoughtful gestures to make the people in their life feel special. However, for Defenders, the holidays often involve higher expectations and additional tasks that can sometimes cause them to feel overwhelmed.
To help them maintain a sense of calm amid the holiday chaos, Defenders might benefit from a daily decluttering routine. Take just five to ten minutes every day to clean and organize your space. During this time, try to remain present and let your thoughts fall away. You might put on some of your favorite music or an interesting podcast. This intentional cleaning can help you relax, and what’s more, having a clean space is known to help people perform their other daily tasks more efficiently.
Executive (ESTJ)
During the holidays, Executives enjoy planning and organizing events. To the best of their ability, they set out to ensure that traditions are kept and everything is executed as flawlessly as possible. Because people with this personality type generally like to be in charge, they will happily work to bring order to the chaos of the festivities. In fact, they tend to be so on the ball that they might struggle with letting themselves relax. If they aren’t careful, this can lead to burnout or cause them to miss the point of what all their hard work is for – to enjoy time with the people they love.
A daily mindfulness walk can help Executives slow down their pace of life and connect with themselves. You might choose to go alone or with the people you care about, depending on whether you feel the urge to invite others along for the adventure. While you are moving your body outside, practice connecting with all of your senses. Identify the colors that you see, the sounds that you hear, and the smells that are around you. Notice how the earth feels beneath you. Use this time to relax, recharge, and share space with the people who mean the most to you.
Consul (ESFJ)
People with the Consul personality type tend to love the holidays. They are the kind of people who will happily offer to host get-togethers for their friends and family and who will do whatever they can to make sure that people feel special and included during all of the festivities. While this is one of Consuls’ greatest strengths, it can be a double-edged sword if they invest too much of their energy into pleasing others and forget to prioritize their own needs or ask for help.
To avoid this, Consuls can focus on protecting their energy this holiday season. Make an intentional effort to notice when you’re feeling overwhelmed and invite others to share in the work that goes into making the holidays so special. This will not only lighten your holiday workload but also give you an opportunity to do one of your favorite things – spend quality time with your people!
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Explorer Personality Types
Virtuoso (ISTP)
The holidays often come with many predefined traditions and expectations, which can sometimes feel restrictive or monotonous to Virtuosos. Additionally, the demands of larger familial or social gatherings may prove taxing for these Introverted personalities.
Virtuosos can find solace during the holidays by dedicating some time every day to indulge in an enjoyable hobby that helps them relax and maintain their independence. Start a new DIY project around the house, go rock climbing, or put together a 2,000-piece puzzle. The point here is to indulge in an interest that helps you connect yourself with your enthusiasm.
Adventurer (ISFP)
Adventurers are one of the most likely personality types to say they find the holiday season stressful. Although these warm and passionate individuals really enjoy the beauty that comes with the winter festivities and getting to spend time with their nearest and dearest, the bustle of the holiday season can sometimes leave them feeling rattled and out of balance.
To help them stay connected to themselves and rooted in their confidence, Adventures might consider engaging in a daily yoga practice. This could be five minutes per day or a full hour. The point is to get out of your mind, get into your body, and cultivate a sense of peace that you can carry off the mat to help you navigate the ups and downs of the holiday season. You can also try different kinds of yoga, depending on how you are feeling. If you happen to need an extra boost, you can try an energizing warrior flow. If all you want to do is rest and relax, maybe try a restorative yoga class. Honor what your mind and body need.
Entrepreneur (ESTP)
Being the social butterflies that they are, Entrepreneurs love getting to partake in all of the fun gatherings that are associated with the festivities of the holiday season. But they might start to feel restless when they are asked to slow down or participate in more monotonous wintertime traditions that they find boring or unnecessary.
To help them feel more comfortable during those humdrum moments, Entrepreneur personalities might benefit from taking some time every day to sit quietly and do absolutely nothing. Italians refer to this as the dolce far niente, or the sweet art of doing nothing. This might seem like a foreign concept to Entrepreneurs like you, who tend to keep themselves very busy, but the point is that it can help you avoid reaching a negative boiling point by intentionally slowing down and doing nothing at least once a week. Put all of your devices away, slow down your breathing, look outside, and just be. When that itch to get up and do something starts to creep in – as it almost certainly will – acknowledge it, let it go, and just focus on your breathing. Try sitting in the stillness for at least five minutes to start.
Entertainer (ESFP)
Entertainers love getting into the spirit of the holidays. From the festive parties to the excitement of giving and receiving gifts to the spontaneous moments with friends and family, these personalities thrive amid the chaos of the winter season. However, the holidays often require careful planning, budgeting, and attention to detail, which could be challenging for Entertainers.
To help them stay balanced and organized, Entertainers can set aside some time every morning for planning the day’s essential activities. This will not only help you stay on top of your responsibilities but also ensure that the rest of your day is free for fun and socializing. Sit down in a quiet area and write down a few goals for the day. Prioritize them from the most to the least important. This doesn’t have to be a strict schedule, but a little guidance can help you keep track of the things that are most important to you.
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Final Thoughts
The holiday season brings both joy and stress, no matter your personality type. Taking some time to slow down, take care of ourselves, and be more intentional can help us all navigate the chaos of the holidays and truly savor the beauty of this time of year.
Keep in mind that self-care and mindfulness practices are not one-size-fits-all solutions to stress and burnout. We all have unique needs and preferences when it comes to connecting with ourselves and the present moment. Embracing our individuality and recognizing what resonates with us personally are the keys to finding the best self-care and mindfulness practices that can keep us grateful and sane over the holidays. Do you have any additional mindfulness tips that you know work well for you? Let us know how you relax and unwind in the comments below!