Holiday Mental Health Tips to Reduce Stress

TL;DR

The holidays can be equal parts magic and meltdown. Between family dynamics, pressure to be cheerful, and the endless to-do list, emotional overwhelm is real. These holiday mental health tips will help you protect your peace, set boundaries, and find calm. Bonus: therapy can help you move from survival mode to actually enjoying the season.

The holidays are marketed as the most wonderful time of the year—but for many people, they can also be the most emotionally exhausting.

Between family expectations, social pressure, travel chaos, and grief that tends to resurface, it’s no wonder your nervous system feels fried by mid-December. 

If you’ve ever thought, “I love the holidays but also want to hide under a blanket until January,” you’re not alone.
Here are five emotional health tips to help you navigate the season without losing yourself in the process..

1. Set Realistic Expectations 🎁

Let’s drop the perfectionism, shall we?

Not every gathering has to be picture-perfect. The meal might burn, your family might bicker, and the vibe might not be Hallmark-movie cozy—and that’s okay. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s presence.

Ask yourself: What would make this season feel peaceful, not performative?
That’s your new holiday intention.

2. Prioritize Self-Care 🌿

The holidays can quickly turn into everyone-else-care. Between errands, events, and emotional labor, it’s easy to forget your own needs.

Protect your energy by:

• Scheduling downtime like it’s a meeting.

• Nourishing your body (protein and hydration are your friends).

• Getting sunlight or movement daily—even a short walk helps regulate mood.

• Saying “no” when you need to rest.

Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s maintenance for your mental health.

3. Maintain Healthy Boundaries ✋🏽

Family dynamics can bring out old roles faster than you can say “pass the gravy.”

Boundaries might sound uncomfortable, but they’re actually the bridge between connection and resentment. 

Try:

• Limiting time with people who drain you.

• Skipping conversations that always end in conflict.

• Leaving early or creating an exit plan if needed.

You’re not obligated to stay in situations that leave you depleted. Protecting your peace is an act of self-respect.

4. Stay Connected (in Healthy Ways) 💌

Connection matters—but so does discernment.

If big gatherings feel overwhelming, try one-on-one coffee dates or phone calls with friends who feel safe. Virtual support counts too.

And remember: if you feel lonely, it doesn’t mean something’s wrong with you. It means your nervous system is craving connection. Reach for people who meet you with warmth, not pressure.

5. Seek Professional Support When Needed 🧠

If your stress, sadness, or irritability linger long after the holiday lights come down, therapy can help.

A therapist can help you:

• Process family triggers or grief that resurface during the holidays.

• Build coping tools for anxiety, perfectionism, or burnout.

• Reconnect with your body and emotions so you can actually enjoy rest.

You don’t have to wait until January to start feeling better. Support is available right now.

You Deserve a Peaceful Holiday Season

If the holidays tend to leave you anxious, overstretched, or emotionally wiped, therapy can help you rebuild balance and boundaries that last long past the new year.

📍 In-person intensives in Gilbert, AZ 

👉🏽 Schedule your free 15-minute consultation
Let’s  explore how therapy can support your emotional wellness this season.

🤎🌿✨

About the author

Karla Storey is a licensed trauma therapist based in Gilbert, Arizona and the founder of Anthology Collective. She specializes in helping high-achieving women heal from emotional neglect, perfectionism, and hyper-independence using EMDR, somatic therapy, and parts work. Karla offers both weekly sessions and EMDR intensives for clients who are ready to stop performing and start feeling. Her approach is warm, real, and rooted in lived experience – because she’s done the healing work too.