Overcoming Holiday Stress: When To Seek Therapy For Support
The holiday season can be a mix of excitement and stress- it’s a lot of work, isn’t it! Between finding the perfect gift, decorating just right, baking cookies and hosting events that meet our own expectations, it can be overwhelming, especially for us perfectionists. While the holiday season can bring moments of joy-filled with celebration, meaningful traditions, and time spent with loved ones- it can also bring feelings of grief, loss, frustration, sadness, anxiety and significant stress. While some holiday stress is a natural part of the season, it’s important to notice when it starts to feel like more than you can handle on your own. Seeking therapy can offer support to help you overcome holiday stress and enjoy the holiday season more fully.
Why Are the Holidays So Stressful?
There’s so much to love about the holidays, but it’s also no surprise if you are also feeling stressed. Packed schedules, travel plans, social gatherings, and events can feel like a juggling act. Add in the pressure to meet work deadlines, prepare holiday meals, find the perfect gifts and stay up late to wrap, and it is easy to see how the holidays can be stressful.
As the holidays approach you might feel stuck in an endless list of tasks that leave little room for rest. As your calendar fills up, there might be pressure to keep going to maintain holiday cheer. Accumulated holiday stress can lead to feelings of frustration, guilt, disappointment and overwhelm making it hard to enjoy the season.
Financial strain is another major source of holiday stress. Gift shopping, travel expenses, and the cost of holiday events can quickly add up, leaving many people feeling overwhelmed by their financial obligations. This pressure can be even more intense for those already struggling with budgeting or financial difficulties.
The emotional weight of the holidays can also add to stress. Family gatherings may bring up unresolved conflicts or painful memories. Being around certain family members can sometimes lead to anxiety or tension. Additionally, for those who have experienced loss or are separated from loved ones, the holidays can be a particularly difficult time filled with feelings of loneliness or grief.
Additionally, the holidays can unintentionally stir up past trauma or childhood trauma symptoms triggered by a familiar smell, sound, song, or family tradition. This can bring up unresolved feelings or memories , leading to a heightened sense of distress and unease.
Finally, the disruption of daily routines can contribute to stress during the holiday season. With the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations, travel plans, and social obligations, it’s easy to feel exhausted and overwhelmed. Managing all of these factors at once can create a level of stress that impacts both your mental and physical well-being.
Signs That Holiday Stress Is Affecting You
It’s normal to feel a little stressed during the holidays, but when that stress starts to interfere with your ability to enjoy the season or affects your health and relationships, it may be a sign that you need additional support. Occupied with daily life and holiday preparations, you may not immediately recognize how stress shows up. Some signs that holiday stress is taking a toll on you include:
Feeling overwhelmed or anxious: If you feel like you’re always running behind or can’t catch a break, this could be a sign that holiday stress is becoming too much to manage.
Difficulty sleeping: Stress can often make it harder to fall asleep or stay asleep, leaving you feeling fatigued and irritable.
Increased irritability: If you’re finding yourself more short-tempered or frustrated with others, holiday stress may be affecting your mood and relationships.
Physical symptoms: Headaches, muscle tension, digestive issues, or general fatigue can all be physical manifestations of stress.
Relationship conflict: Your relationships may feel more challenging, with arguments happening more frequently, causing you to snap at others over minor issues or withdraw altogether from communication and social gatherings.
Avoiding social interactions: If you find yourself withdrawing from social events or isolating yourself because the holidays feel overwhelming, this may be a sign that stress is negatively impacting your life.
When to Seek Therapy for Holiday Stress
While it’s normal to experience some stress during the holidays, therapy may be helpful if that stress is persistent or affecting your quality of life. If you notice that holiday stress is making it difficult to function, impacting your relationships, or causing emotional distress, it may be time to consider professional support. Here are some situations where therapy can be particularly beneficial:
Persistent Anxiety or Sadness
If the stress of the holidays has led to feelings of constant anxiety or sadness, and you’re struggling to find joy in the season, therapy can help. A therapist can work with you to identify the specific triggers of your stress and help you develop coping strategies to manage these feelings. Additionally, if you’re feeling sad due to loneliness, grief, or loss during the holidays, therapy can provide a supportive space to process these emotions.
Difficulty Managing Family Dynamics
Family relationships can be complicated, and the holidays often bring these dynamics to the forefront. If you find yourself feeling anxious or upset about spending time with certain family members, therapy can help you navigate these situations. A therapist can offer guidance on setting boundaries, improving communication, and managing difficult emotions during family gatherings.
Overwhelmed by Expectations
If you feel burdened by the pressure to create the perfect holiday experience or meet everyone’s expectations, therapy can help you reassess these demands. A therapist can help you identify what’s truly important to you during the holidays and support you in letting go of unrealistic expectations. By learning to set boundaries and prioritize your own well-being, you can reduce holiday stress and focus on what matters most.
Struggling with Work-Life Balance
For many people, the holiday season brings an added layer of stress as they try to balance work responsibilities with holiday preparations and family obligations. If you’re finding it difficult to manage everything on your plate, therapy can provide tools for improving time management, setting priorities, and reducing feelings of overwhelm. A therapist can help you create a plan to balance work and personal life, making the holiday season more manageable.
Physical Symptoms of Stress
If holiday stress is manifesting in physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches, fatigue, or tension, it’s a sign that your body is feeling the impact of stress. Therapy can help you manage the physical effects of stress. Addressing stress at its root through therapy can also help alleviate these physical symptoms and improve your overall health.
How Therapy Can Help You Manage Holiday Stress
Therapy can help you manage holiday stress. Therapy can help you stay calm and centered even when the holiday season feels overwhelming.
Therapy provides a supportive space to process difficult emotions. Whether you’re struggling with family conflict, grief, or feelings of isolation, a therapist can offer guidance and support as you navigate these challenges. Sometimes, simply talking to someone who understands can make a big difference in managing holiday stress.
While the holiday season can bring joy and celebration, it can also be a time of significant stress for many people. From financial pressures to family dynamics, the demands of the holidays can sometimes feel overwhelming. It’s important to recognize when holiday stress is affecting your well-being and consider seeking therapy if it becomes too much to manage on your own. Therapy can provide valuable tools for managing stress, improving relationships, and helping you find balance during the holiday season.
How Therapy in Olds, Alberta, Can Help You Manage Holiday Stress
If you feel like the season’s weight is too much to manage alone, reaching out for support can help ease holiday stress and make things more manageable. Our therapists at Williamson & Associates in Olds, Alberta, create space for individuals, couples, and families to understand how holiday stress might affect them and how to navigate it with compassion and care.
Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) can help when stress, anxiety, or depression feel overwhelming. Additionally, EFIT Provides support as you navigate life transitions, such as family changes, losses, or chronic illness during the holiday season. Working with an EFIT therapist can help strengthen your emotional resilience, making coping with stress during the holidays easier.
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) supports couples in approaching challenges during the holidays, helping them feel more connected and communicate more effectively.
Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) helps families navigate conflicts and foster deeper connections.
Trauma Therapy & PTSD Treatment at Willamson & Associates helps address and process trauma-related triggers that often resurface during the holidays. Your therapist will provide tools to regulate your emotions and feel more grounded. For instance, Accelerated Resolution Trauma Therapy (ART) provides a structured way to resolve painful memories quickly, reducing emotional intensity tied to holiday stressors, while Somatic Experiencing (SE) focuses on helping you connect with your body, regulate physical symptoms of stress, and release tension caused by holiday triggers.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) helps address traumatic memories that the holiday season may trigger, allowing you to create new connections and heal.
Online Therapy offers convenient access to professional support, allowing you to work through stress from the comfort of your own space during the busy holiday season.
Alberta Stress Therapy
If holiday stress is taking a toll on your life and you need support, Williamson and Associates Counselling in Alberta is here to help. Our experienced therapists specialize in stress therapy and can provide you with the guidance you need to navigate the holiday season with greater ease. We offer individual, couples and family therapy in our offices in Olds, Alberta as well as online to anyone in the province of Alberta. Contact us today to schedule a session and take the first step toward a more peaceful and enjoyable holiday season. You don’t have to manage holiday stress alone—support is just a phone call or click away.
Overcome Stress This Season with Caring Therapy For Support
Our therapeutic approaches are designed to meet you where you are, helping you navigate the complexities of the holidays with understanding, compassion, and practical tools tailored for you. Explore our additional services here.
Contact us today to learn how therapy at Williamson & Associates in Olds and virtually across Alberta can help you navigate holiday stress and enjoy a more mindful, pleasant holiday season.