For some people, the holidays feel magical. For others? It’s stress on top of stress — gifts, travel, money, family, expectations, and trying to smile through it all. The truth is, holiday stress is real and way more common than most will admit.

Why the Holidays Feel Heavy

Between work deadlines, family obligations, financial pressure, and emotional reminders of who’s no longer with us, December can feel like a marathon wrapped in tinsel.

5 Real-Life Holiday Stress Scenarios

1. Trying to buy gifts on a budget while pretending money is fine.
   
   

2. Cooking for the whole family when all you wanted was a quiet day and a nap.
   
   

3. The “I’ll be there!” burnout — saying yes to too many events.
   
   

4. Feeling lonely in a room full of people because the season triggers old memories.
   
   

5. Trying to be the ‘strong one’ while silently drowning in responsibilities.
   
   

How People Are Coping

• Setting spending limits
  
  

• Skipping events that drain their energy
  
  

• Doing “potluck holidays” instead of one person hosting everything
  
  

• Taking mental health days
  
  

• Replacing gifts with shared experiences or donations
  
  

3 Helpful Resources

• Budgeting App: You Need a Budget (YNAB)
  
  

• Calm App for meditation and sleep
  
  

NAMI HelpLine (National Alliance on Mental Illness)