Practical Tips for Managing Holiday Stress

Mental Health

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” So goes one of the best-known songs of the holiday season, and it’s true that it certainly can be. But for many people, the holiday season can also be one of the most stressful times of the year. Between busy schedules, family expectations, financial pressures, and the desire to make everything look perfect and feel special, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. If you’re feeling this way, know that you’re far from alone; holiday stress is an extremely common phenomenon at every level of society. The good news is, with the right cognitive tools it’s absolutely manageable.

To that end, below is a set of practical, approachable strategies to help you move through the season with more ease, balance, and joy.

1. Set Realistic Expectations

It’s always tempting to aim for the “perfect” holiday, i.e., perfect meals, perfect gifts, and perfect gatherings. But perfection is exhausting, unrealistic, and wholly unnecessary; it’s also one of the key contributors to poor mental health during the holidays.

This year, give yourself permission to say “no” a little more, to step back a bit, to focus on what truly matters to you and your family. Maybe that means simplifying your menu, cutting down on events, or choosing smaller, more meaningful traditions. When you stop chasing perfection, you create room for more genuine connection and enjoyment.

2. Plan Ahead (But Stay Flexible)

A little planning can go a long way toward reducing holiday stress. Simple tools like a calendar, checklist, or weekly plan can help you stay organized and avoid last-minute scrambling and the stress that typically goes along with it. And spreading tasks out—shopping, prepping, decorating—can make everything feel more manageable.

At the same time, remember that even the best-laid plans can go awry. As such, build buffer time into your schedule for delays, surprises, and, maybe most importantly, rest. Flexibility is key to staying grounded when things don’t go exactly as expected.

3. Create Boundaries

Boundaries are essential; we can’t stress this enough, particularly during a season packed with invitations, expectations, and obligations. Saying “no” doesn’t make you unkind, ungrateful, or a “bad person.” Rather, it makes space for what truly supports your well-being. It also makes you less likely to succumb to holiday stress and mental health degradations of any sort.

Set limits around your time, finances, and social energy. You don’t have to attend every gathering, volunteer for every event, or stretch your budget just to keep up with others. Choose commitments that align with your values and capacity.

4. Prioritize Self-Care

Self-care often slips during busy times, like the holidays, but maintaining even the simplest routines can make a major difference in your mood and resilience. Prioritize:

Consistent sleep
Nourishing meals
Light movement or stretching
Hydration
Short breaks throughout your day

Try to incorporate small stress-relief habits into your days, such as deep breathing, brief periods of time away from the madding crowds, or a calming playlist. These simple practices help regulate your nervous system and keep holiday stress from building up.

5. Manage Financial Stress

Financial stress is another key contributor to poor mental health during the holidays. Money concerns can add heavy pressure at this time of year. Creating a realistic budget, and committing to it, can help keep financial strain under control.

Consider alternatives to traditional gift-giving, such as:

Homemade gifts
Experience-based gifts
Group gift exchanges
Setting spending limits
Donating time instead of money

In the end, your presence and thoughtfulness matter more than anything you can buy.

6. Stay Present, Stay in the Moment

With so many distractions, it’s easy to rush through the holidays without truly experiencing them. Practicing mindfulness can help you stay grounded and appreciative.

Try to slow down during meaningful moments: a conversation, a shared meal, a quiet morning (this last one is a gift you give yourself). And reducing screen time, especially during gatherings, can help you connect more deeply with the people around you.

7. Ask for, and Accept, Help

You don’t have to do everything alone. Sharing responsibilities with family or friends isn’t just practical; it also builds connection and reduces the chance of burnout. Whether it’s to do with cooking, planning, cleaning, or simply having someone to talk to, reaching out is a sign of strength. Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re incapable; it means you’re human.

Holiday Stress and Mental Health

Holiday stress is real, but it doesn’t have to affect your mental health. The steps outlined above can make a real difference in how you handle the holidays this year. And remember, you don’t have to tackle every strategy on this list. Choose one or two that feel realistic and meaningful for you this season. Even small changes can make a big difference in creating a calmer, more enjoyable holiday experience. And if you find yourself in need of extra support, Advanced Behavioral Health is here for you. Our team provides compassionate, individualized mental health services to help you manage stress, build resilience, and navigate challenges: not just during the holidays, but all year long. A more peaceful holiday season is possible. You deserve it.

When you think of the well-being of a child, you first think of basic needs: food, water, and shelter. Once these needs are met, however, it’s crucial for a child to have emotional and social wellness as well. In this article, we will explore the impact social wellness has on the overall health of a child and great ways for children to garner social support in their lives.

It comes as no surprise that as human beings, we all need connection with others, no matter what stage of life we are in. In fact, having social support is a social determinant of health (SDOH) that significantly impacts the health of an individual. After spending the last few years in and out of isolation due to the Covid-19 outbreak, social support is more important now than ever before. Having social support means having family members and friends you can talk to and seek advice from when life feels challenging and overwhelming. Knowing you’re not alone in your life journey, especially as a child, creates a sense of belonging and empowerment throughout one’s life.

4 Types of Social Support

Emotional Support. This type of support lets you know that people care about you and have empathy for your experiences. Emotional support often looks like people checking in on you to let you know they’re thinking of you, and that they are there if you need anything. As a parent, make sure your child knows you can be a sounding board for them. If you have family members who can also show up for your children in this way, even better!

Practical Help. This type of support is when people give you something tangible or offer a service to help you out. This could be in the form of money, making food when you are sick, or helping to pack when moving. Having family and friends show up in this way shows your child what it looks like to be present for people you love.

Sharing Points of View. This type of support can often come in the form of affirmations and encouragement. For example, pointing out your child’s strengths to them and reminding them they can do anything they put their mind to. It can also look like sharing another perspective if they are being hard on themselves. For example, if they are angry with themselves after receiving a bad grade on a test, you can help them see it as a learning experience and a way for them to grow.

Sharing Information. This type of support is when someone shares what they’ve learned from their own life experiences. For example, if another parent has a child who struggles with socializing, they can share some tips and tricks they’ve learned to help their child find and create social support.

The Importance of Social Groups and Extended Support

Children who are connected to their family, friends, and people in their community have opportunities to learn how to speak, share, and get along with others. When your child feels connected to people in your neighborhood, it often allows them to feel physically safe which can alleviate stress and worry. Simply riding bikes, going on walks, and saying hello to neighbors with your kids can create this sense of security for them.

In addition to engaging with your neighbors, getting involved in local organizations can also create social support for your child. Signing up for a sports team, musical theater, art class or summer camp are all great ways to help your child meet new friends and learn important social skills that can carry them through their lives.

Tips for Helping Kids Make Community Connections:

Spend time outside in your neighborhood playing on the playground, going to a local farmer’s market, or scheduling a playdate with neighborhood kids.

Show your kids that connection is a two-way street. If your neighbors or friends go out of town, offer to get their mail, or water their plants and take your child with you when you go. This will show your child how you show up for people you care about.

Make sure you make time for socializing with friends as well. Your child looks to you first and foremost for how they should act and live their own life.

Encourage your child to step out of their comfort zone and do something they may be scared to do. As a parent, it’s your job to push them into something social for their own well-being at times.