How to Manage Upcoming Holiday Stress
By a Therapist for Thoughtful, Growth-Minded Women and Moms of Deeply Feeling, Neurodivergent Kids
The holidays are supposed to be joyful, so why do they feel so overwhelming?
As the holidays approach, it’s easy to imagine cozy moments, laughter, and connection. But for many women, especially high-achievers, caregivers, and moms of deeply feeling kids, this season can also bring holiday stress that feels anything but relaxing.
Between packed schedules, family dynamics, financial pressures, and endless to-do lists, the holidays can stir up feelings of anxiety, overstimulation, and guilt. You may find yourself trying to make everything “just right” for everyone else while quietly running on empty.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone and it doesn’t have to feel this hard.
Why the Holidays Can Feel Stressful
Even though the holidays come with joyful moments, they also bring a perfect storm of triggers for many people:
Too many activities, not enough downtime. Between school events, travel, and social gatherings, your nervous system rarely gets a break.
Family dynamics and expectations. Old patterns and unspoken tensions can resurface when families gather, leaving you feeling anxious or emotionally drained.
Sensory overload. For highly sensitive people and for moms of highly sensitive kids the noise, lights, and busyness can be overwhelming.
Pressure to please. The desire to create a “perfect” holiday can keep you stuck in people-pleasing and perfectionism, leaving little room for your own needs.
Understanding why this season feels stressful is the first step in creating a gentler, more grounded experience.
Practical Coping Strategies
You can’t control everything about the holidays but you can take small, meaningful steps to protect your peace. Here are a few ways to practice seasonal stress management:
Keep some routines steady. Simple things like regular meals, movement, or bedtime routines help your nervous system feel safe and grounded.
Set realistic expectations. Choose what truly matters this year and let the rest go. You don’t need to do it all.
Schedule moments of quiet. Even five minutes of deep breathing, journaling, or stepping outside can reset your system.
Communicate your needs. It’s okay to say no, ask for help, or set boundaries with loved ones. You deserve rest, too.
Notice your triggers. When you start to feel tension or overwhelm, pause and check in with your body. Awareness is the doorway to change.
Small shifts add up. The goal isn’t to make everything perfect it’s to stay connected to yourself in the midst of it all.
How Therapy Can Help
Sometimes, even with all the right tools, the holidays can still feel heavy. Therapy can be a space to unpack what’s coming up: past experiences, unspoken family roles, or the perfectionism that quietly fuels your stress.
Approaches like EMDR, Brainspotting, and Flash Technique can help calm the nervous system, process emotional triggers, and create more internal space for peace and presence. Therapy offers both stress relief and emotional resilience, helping you move through this season with more ease and self-compassion.
You don’t have to navigate this season alone or keep repeating the same patterns year after year.
Ready to Feel Calmer This Holiday Season?
If you’re craving a calmer, more grounded holiday experience, support is available. You can learn to manage stress, stay present, and enjoy the moments that truly matter. If you want to learn more about intensives, you can do so here.
Reach out for a free consultation to see how therapy can help you create more peace this season and beyond.
