Holiday Season - Joyful or Stressful?
The holidays are often painted as a time of joy and togetherness — cozy lights, laughter, gifts, and love. But for many, this season brings more stress than sparkle. Whether you’re grieving, overwhelmed, financially strained, or simply exhausted, this time of year can feel heavy. If you’re struggling to find peace in the middle of it all, here are some ways to manage holiday stress without losing yourself in the process.
1. Release the Pressure to Be “Festive”
It’s okay if this season feels heavy or complicated. It’s okay if you’re not in the holiday spirit or if your version of peace looks different this year. Instead of pressuring yourself to participate in every gathering or maintain every tradition, permit yourself to show up as you are. That might mean choosing quiet moments over crowded rooms, reflection over festivity, or stillness instead of socializing. Maybe your healing looks like watching movies alone with tea, or spending the day volunteering, or simply taking a long walk to breathe.
Showing up authentically — without the mask of “I’m fine” allows space for genuine connection. Sometimes the most meaningful moments come from honesty, not performance. You might be surprised to find that when you share your truth, others feel safe to do the same. The holidays don’t have to be about perfection; they can be about presence, allowing yourself to be real, grounded, and enough, exactly as you are.
2. Simplify Wherever You Can
The holidays tend to pile on expectations: cooking, buying gifts, social events, and family obligations. Ask yourself: What actually matters to me this year?
Maybe that means saying no to certain gatherings, choosing handmade or low-cost gifts, or creating new traditions that feel gentler and less draining. The importance of a holiday is not about the gifts or extravagant dinners, but about coming together with your friends and family to celebrate positivity and closeness with one another.
3. Set Boundaries with People and Energy
If being around certain family members brings up stress or conflict, it’s okay to protect your peace.
You can say things like:
“I’d love to see you, but I need to keep my visit short this year.”
“I’m focusing on rest this season, so I’ll skip the party.”
You’re not being selfish, you’re being self-aware.
4. Care for Your Nervous System
When stress builds up, the body often holds it. Use grounding tools daily:
Deep breathing (inhale for 4, exhale for 6).
Going for a short walk.
Listening to music that soothes your mood.
Journaling about what feels heavy — then writing one line about what you can control.
5. Honor the Season You’re In
Maybe this holiday season isn’t about celebration — maybe it’s about healing, rest, or simply making it through. That’s still deeply meaningful. Not every year will be filled with sparkle and excitement, and that’s okay. Some years are quieter, softer, and meant for recovery. You’re allowed to step back and redefine what this time means to you. The holidays don’t have to look like everyone else’s version — they can be your season of grounding, reflection, or reconnection with yourself. Perhaps this year is about learning how to breathe again after loss. Or rebuilding your sense of peace after chaos. Maybe it’s about slowing down long enough to hear what your body and mind are truly asking for. Healing doesn’t always look like joy — sometimes it looks like gentle stillness, choosing calm over chaos, or permitting yourself to not be “on” for everyone else.
Surviving the holidays during a hard time doesn’t make you weak — it makes you resilient. Even if you don’t feel festive, you’re still moving forward, one breath and one day at a time. And sometimes, that’s enough.
If you’re struggling this holiday season, reach out to us today and call 347-921-0811 to get connected with a therapist.
Blog Article Written by: Sabrina Kalontarov
