Not Sure How to Switch Off? Here’s How to Rest Your Mind This Festive Season

For many people, the holiday season is the only time of year when life slows down. The emails stop, the meetings pause, and there’s finally space to breathe. But slowing down doesn’t always mean resting. In fact, many of us arrive at the holidays exhausted, overwhelmed, and unsure of how to truly give our minds the break they’ve been needing.

If you find yourself unsure of how to rest, or if your mind remains busy even when your body is still, you’re not alone. At The Mind Space Counselling in Parkhurst, Johannesburg, we help individuals learn how to reconnect with themselves and make the most of time off—in ways that are nourishing, gentle, and sustainable.

Why Mental Rest Doesn’t Happen Automatically?

It’s easy to assume that rest comes naturally once work slows down, but mental rest requires intention. After long periods of stress, the mind can stay in a heightened state of alertness. You may notice:

• Racing thoughts, even when nothing stressful is happening

• Difficulty relaxing without feeling guilty

• Emotional fatigue that doesn’t go away with sleep

• A sense of restlessness or pressure to “use your time well”

“Rest is not the absence of activity; it is the presence of restoration.”
— National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

When your body finally pauses, your mind may still be catching up — which is why intentional mental rest is essential.

How to Rest Your Mind in the Best Way?

1. Give Yourself Permission to Slow Down

One of the biggest barriers to rest is guilt. You might feel like you should be productive, social, or energetic during the holidays.

Rest begins with permission — the internal affirmation that slowing down is not laziness but healing.

2. Create Simple, Soothing Daily Rituals

Rituals give the mind something familiar to settle into. They can be small, gentle, and deeply grounding:

• Morning quiet time with tea

• Stretching before bed

• A 10-minute walk without your phone

• Sitting in sunlight

These tiny rituals tell your nervous system, 'You’re safe to relax now.'

3. Reduce Mental Clutter

Mental clutter — unfinished tasks, unresolved emotions, overthinking — often blocks rest. Counsellors at The Mind Space often recommend:

• Brain-dumping your thoughts onto paper

• Decluttering one small corner of your space

• Choosing one clear intention for the day instead of many

Clearing space externally can help you clear space internally.

4. Prioritise Activities That Bring You Back to Yourself

Holidays can pull you in many directions. To truly rest your mind, spend time on things that make you feel most like you:

• Reading

• Quite creative hobbies

• Gentle movement

• Nature time

• Listening to calming music

These activities restore rather than deplete.

“Mindfulness and intentional rest support emotional recovery and reduce the impact of chronic stress.”
— Mayo Clinic

5. Limit Overwhelm Before It Builds

Your mind rests best when you avoid overstimulation. This might look like saying “no” more often, reducing social commitments, or creating buffers between activities. Rest doesn’t have to be earned. You are allowed to choose calm.

Why Resting Your Mind Matters?

Mental rest helps you:

• Think more clearly

• Regulate your emotions

• Reduce stress and anxiety

• Improve intimacy and connection

• Experience joy more fully

When your mind slows down, your whole life begins to feel more spacious. You start to notice moments of calm that were previously overshadowed by stress, and everyday experiences begin to feel more manageable. With this renewed sense of ease, you’re better able to show up for yourself and the people you care about in a grounded, present way.

How Counselling Can Support You During the Holidays?

Sometimes, even with time off, the mind struggles to settle. Old stressors, emotional patterns, or burnout may resurface. Rest becomes easier when you are supported.

Counselling can help you:

• Understand why rest feels difficult

• Develop personalised self-care routines

• Learn grounding strategies to quiet the mind

• Explore emotional fatigue or burnout patterns

• Build a healthier relationship with rest

“Counselling provides a supportive space to learn coping skills, process emotions, and regain balance.”
— American Psychological Association (APA)

📍 Holiday Support at The Mind Space Counselling

Whether you’re spending your holiday in Parkhurst, Johannesburg, or relaxing elsewhere in South Africa, The Mind Space offers both in-person and online counselling to support your emotional wellbeing during this season.

Our counsellors provide gentle, trauma-informed guidance to help you unwind, reset, and enter the new year feeling more grounded and restored.

We understand that the festive season can stir up unexpected emotions, and having a safe space to talk through these experiences can make a meaningful difference. Our sessions are personalised to help you reconnect with your needs, find steady emotional footing, and navigate stressful moments with more clarity. No matter where you are or what this time of year brings, you don’t have to move through it alone — compassionate support is always available.

🙋‍♀️ Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I struggle to rest even when I’m tired?

This is often linked to stress patterns, emotional overwhelm, or difficulty slowing down the mind. You’re not alone — counselling can help you explore this gently.

How can I avoid burnout during the holidays?

Create intentional rest, set boundaries, and reduce commitments. Even short, mindful pauses make a difference.

Is online counselling helpful when I feel overwhelmed?

Yes. Online sessions offer support wherever you are and can help you reset when the festive season feels too demanding.

Can counselling help me plan for a calmer new year?

Absolutely. Counsellors can help you create sustainable habits, emotional boundaries, and restorative routines for the year ahead.

💬 How To Prioritise Your Rest This Holiday Season?

Your mind deserves rest just as much as your body. Get in touch with us anytime, anywhere.

📍 In-person sessions available in Parkhurst, Johannesburg
🌐 Online counselling available across South Africa

👉 Find out more or book a session via our Services page.
👉 You can also reach out directly via WhatsApp

👉 You may also find this helpful: If you're seeking extra support for supporting yourself through mental load, interpersonal challenges, or big emotions during this period, you may find our related articles helpful—such as those in our Stress, Relationships, Trauma, and Addiction categories. These articles offer grounding tools, emotional insights, and gentle guidance to support you through difficult moments.