The holiday season brings a familiar mix of warmth, joy, and anticipation—but also stress, pressure, and complicated emotions. Between Thanksgiving travel, year-end work demands, family dynamics, and the ongoing stress of world events, it’s completely normal to feel stretched thin this time of year.
In California, the season can come with its own added layers: higher cost of living, long commutes or travel, caregiving responsibilities, and the emotional weight of everything happening in the world right now. Taking care of your mental well-being isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.
Here are practical, grounded ways to support yourself this holiday season:
1. Acknowledge Holiday Stress Early
The holidays can bring up more than just excitement—they often amplify anxiety, financial strain, and emotional exhaustion. Simply naming what’s hard is the first step toward easing it. Notice what you’re carrying this year and give yourself permission to feel however you’re feeling.
2. Set Boundaries Around Time, Energy, and Conversations
Big gatherings can be emotionally draining—especially if certain topics or dynamics tend to resurface. It’s okay to:
- Leave early
- Decline an invitation
- Change the subject when conversations become tense
- Take a walk or step outside when you need space
Your well-being is more important than any expectation or tradition.
3. Protect Your Financial Well-Being
With rising living costs, many people are feeling more financial pressure than usual. Create a realistic budget for travel, gifts, and gatherings—and stick to it. Small, meaningful gestures often matter more than anything purchased.
A simple boundary like: “We’re keeping things simple this year” can take a lot of pressure off.
4. Be Mindful of News and Social Media Overload
Many people have reported increased anxiety this year due to tense global events, election-related fatigue, and constant news cycles. It’s okay to limit how much you consume—especially during the holidays when you’re already juggling a lot emotionally.
Try setting small limits, like checking news only once or twice a day.
5. Build in Rest, Not Just Events
It’s easy to overbook yourself between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. Add downtime into your schedule the same way you’d add an appointment. Quiet mornings, short walks, or evenings without plans can make a noticeable difference in your stress levels.
6. Support Your Body So Your Mind Can Keep Up
During the holidays, routines tend to fall apart. You don’t need perfection—just some consistency:
- Prioritize sleep
- Eat regular meals, not just holiday grazing
- Drink water throughout the day
- Move your body, even if it’s just a 10-minute walk
Small habits help stabilize mood and energy when everything else feels hectic.
7. Make Space for Complicated Emotions
For many people, the holidays bring loneliness, grief, or reminders of strained relationships. If this season feels different—or heavier—than in past years, you’re not alone. Let yourself feel what comes up. Talk to someone you trust. Create your own version of what the holidays can look like.
8. Reach Out for Support If You Need It
If stress, anxiety, or sadness feel overwhelming, getting support matters. A mental health provider can help you navigate this time with tools that make the season more manageable. Therapy is not just for crises—it’s a space to get grounded, reflect, and feel supported.
9. Start the New Year With Intention
Before January arrives, take a moment to check in with yourself. What helped you this year? What drained you? What support do you want moving forward? Even small intentions—like scheduling an appointment, creating healthier routines, or asking for help sooner—can make the start of 2026 feel steadier.
If the holidays feel heavier than expected, you don’t have to navigate this time alone. We at MediPsych Services are here when you’re ready. You can check your insurance, ask questions, or schedule a visit at your own pace.
