How to Take Care of Yourself When the Party’s Over
The holidays are often full of laughter, food, and visits from friends and family. While hosting is rewarding, the aftermath can feel overwhelming at times. Cleaning up, putting things away, and maintaining your home after a gathering can lead to fatigue, muscle strain, and stress.
Sometimes, we put more pressure on ourselves than is necessary. The clean-up can happen in stages. It can be performed with help from others, and we can cut ourselves some slack if a few things stay out of place for a time.
With thoughtful strategies and mindful energy use, you can restore your space and still enjoy meaningful time with your guests.
After the Party
Simple tasks can place demands on your body that may already be tired from planning and hosting your gathering. Common issues I see during the holiday season include:
- Backache from lifting, bending, or carrying boxes and dishes
- Shoulder, arm, and wrist discomfort from scrubbing, vacuuming, or moving furniture
- Fatigue from repetitive tasks or when trying to do too much in one day or in a short amount of time
- Stress and tension from feeling rushed or overextended
- Taking on big projects alone without asking for help
Energy conservation is a practice well-known to people who live with chronic illness, fatigue, or pain. The principles of energy conservation are applicable to everyone and are helpful for the activities in life that require mental, physical, and emotional exertion.
With energy conservation, we build up a bank of energy that we budget for and “spend” wisely to avoid overdrawing our reserves. By following these principles, we can better enjoy ourselves during busy times and reduce the risk of injury or resentment from overexertion.
The 4 P’s of Energy Conservation for Clean-Up
1. Plan Ahead
- Break clean-up into manageable steps over several days
- Keep essential cleaning supplies accessible and organized
- Enlist help from family or friends to share tasks
2. Prioritize Tasks
- Focus on areas that impact safety and comfort first, such as clearing walkways, tidying kitchens, or removing clutter
- Accept that some tasks, like organizing guest bedrooms, or storing clean serving pieces can wait until later
- Decide what is truly important and let go of perfection. Make a list of priorities and stick to it.
3. Pace Yourself
- Alternate between high-energy tasks (lifting, scrubbing) and low-energy activities (wiping surfaces, folding linens)
- Take rest breaks to sit, stretch, and hydrate
- Make time to get some exercise, whether that means taking a walk, getting to the health club or doing an exercise video. Letting your body move in different ways can break a cycle of repetitive strain
- Avoid trying to clean everything in one long session
4. Position Your Body Wisely
- Bend at the knees instead of the waist when lifting or moving items
- Keep objects close to your body to reduce strain
- Use long-handled tools, step stools, or carts to reduce reaching or bending
- Sit when possible to fold laundry, wrap up decorations, or sort dishes
Communication and Delegation: Enlist Support Early
Hosting doesn’t mean you must do everything yourself. Effective communication can transform clean-up into a shared, even enjoyable activity:
- Say yes to offers of help. Resist the urge to be polite and decline. It’s often easier for people to contribute when you accept their support and easier yet when help needed is specified ahead of time.
- Be direct and clear. Assign specific tasks to loved ones rather than vague requests for help. For example: “Would you mind loading the dishwasher?” works better than “Can someone help in the kitchen?”
- Delegate ahead of time. Use tools like SignUpGenius or a shared group text to create a chore list before the event so everyone knows how or when they can pitch in. Tasks can happen on the day of the party or afterwards.
- Task list for clean-up. Write out which tasks must be done immediately (washing dishes, clearing walkways) versus what can wait until later (organizing storage bins, detailed vacuuming).
Discuss your own limitations openly with loved ones so they understand what tasks may cause you pain or fatigue. Sharing your boundaries not only garners support but also creates realistic expectations for everyone involved.
Self-Care with Mindfulness Practices
In addition to energy-saving strategies, caring for your mind and emotions is just as important as caring for your body:
- Pause and breathe. Before beginning clean-up, take a few minutes for slow, mindful breathing to center yourself.
- Set an intention. Decide what you want your post-party experience to feel like: calm, connected, and grateful rather than rushed or resentful.
- Be present. Notice small moments during clean-up, like laughter while washing dishes with a friend or the quiet satisfaction of clearing a space.
- Give yourself permission to rest. Remind yourself that it’s okay to leave some tasks for another time. A temporarily messy home does not reflect on you as a person.
Make Time to Mark the Occasion
Don’t let the logistics of clean-up overshadow the meaning of your gathering. Build in moments to:
- Share coffee or dessert with your guests before tackling dishes
- Take a quiet walk or light a candle to reflect on the time spent together
- Celebrate the effort you put into making the holiday special
By balancing responsibility with presence, you’ll preserve not only your energy but also the joy of the occasion.
Balance Comfort and Connection
Post-holiday clean-up can be both manageable and enjoyable when approached with planning, pacing, mindfulness, and open communication. By conserving your energy, prioritizing tasks, and sharing responsibilities, you can protect your joints, muscles, and peace of mind—while savoring time with friends and family.
If clean-up tasks lead to new or recurring pain in your shoulders, wrists, or hands, consider consulting your doctor and working with an Occupational Therapist.
We can provide personalized strategies to help you enjoy your home and your traditions year after year.
Flourish Recovery & Wellness 