Relaxing Activities to Help You Unwind During the Busy Holiday Season

3 December 2025 5 Min read
Life Hacks

The holidays can be one of the best times of the year, but they can also feel nonstop. Between travel plans, end-of-year deadlines, family gatherings, gift lists, and everyday responsibilities, it is easy to get overwhelmed. That is why making space for relaxing activities matters so much. A few intentional moments of rest can help you recharge, stay present, and actually enjoy the season instead of just pushing through it.

The good news is that relaxing activities do not have to be complicated or time-consuming. Small, realistic choices can make a big difference in how you feel day to day. Below are simple, accessible ideas to help you unwind during the busy holiday season.

Create a cozy corner for quick breaks

When life gets busy, it helps to have a small space that signals rest. You do not need a big home makeover. One of the easiest relaxing activities is creating a cozy corner that is there whenever you need a quick break.

Choose a chair, a spot on the couch, or even one side of your bed. Add a blanket, a pillow, or a soft light. Keep a few comforting items nearby, like a journal, a candle, or your favorite tea.

Even if you only step into your cozy corner for ten minutes, it creates a boundary between stress and rest. Over time, it becomes a built-in way to unwind.

Take a walk with no agenda

Walking is a classic stress reliever because it gets your body moving without requiring much effort. During the holidays, a simple walk can be one of the most grounding, relaxing activities you can choose.

  • Walk around your neighborhood and notice seasonal changes
  • Look at holiday lights, winter trees, or the early sunset
  • Leave your phone in your pocket so the walk stays restful
  • Treat it as a break, not another errand

To make this feel more like a reset, choose a route you enjoy. The point is not distance. The point is giving your mind space to breathe.

Try stretching or yoga

You do not need a full workout to feel better. In fact, during a packed season, gentle movement can support rest more than intensity. Stretching is one of those relaxing activities that can bring immediate relief, especially when stress shows up in your neck, shoulders, and lower back.

Roll your shoulders, stretch your hips, and loosen your spine. If you enjoy yoga, try a slow flow or restorative practice. Many free videos offer sessions designed specifically for relaxation.

If you are new to yoga, start with a few simple poses; the focus is not on perfect form, but to let your body relax.

Make an evening wind-down routine

Holiday nights can be as busy as holiday days. Between wrapping gifts, cleaning up after gatherings, or finishing last-minute tasks, bedtime can feel rushed. A wind-down routine is one of the most consistent relaxing activities you can use to protect your rest.

  • Dim the lights an hour before bed
  • Take a warm shower or bath
  • Change into comfortable clothes early
  • Drink tea while you unwind

Even if your routine is short, the repetition helps your brain shift into rest mode. It becomes a signal that you are ready to slow down.

Give yourself a screen-free break

Phones and social media help stay connected during the holidays, but they also keep your mind busy. Taking a screen-free break is a low-effort way to add more relaxing activities to your week.

Pick a time of day when you can step away from screens, even if it is just for fifteen minutes. Use that time to do something tactile and quiet. You might fold laundry, organize a small drawer, water plants, or sit outside. These small tasks can be soothing because they keep your hands busy without overstimulating your mind.

Watch or listen to something comforting

Not all entertainment is relaxing, especially when it is fast-paced or loud. This is one of those relaxing activities that feel like a treat while still helping you recharge.

  • Rewatch a favorite movie or comfort show
  • Put on a podcast while you cook
  • Build a holiday playlist

Ask for help when you need it

Sometimes the most relaxing activity is letting someone else take something off your plate. Holiday stress often builds when you feel responsible for everything. If there are tasks you can delegate, consider doing it.

This could mean asking a family member to handle part of the cooking, splitting errands with a friend, or hiring help for a home project you have been putting off. Access to trusted partners like Thumbtack can help you find pros for home cleaning, organizing, handyman work, and more. CSC app users can get a $100 rebate when they hire a pro through Thumbtack.

Keep relaxing activities simple and consistent

You do not need a perfect plan to unwind. The most effective relaxing activities are the ones you can do consistently. A quiet coffee, a short walk, a stretch, or a screen-free pause can all help you relax.

The holiday season will always be full. But it does not have to be draining. When you build in moments of rest, you protect your energy and your joy. Start with one or two relaxing activities that feel realistic right now, and let them be your steady anchor through the season.

If you keep coming back to small ways to unwind, you will likely notice that the holidays feel less like a sprint and more like something you can actually enjoy.