Healthy Ways to Handle Holiday Emotions: A Therapist’s View a 1-minute video with Dr. Daniel BE
The holiday season often brings pressure to feel constant joy, but embracing all emotions—both pleasant and unpleasant—can lead to healthier, more meaningful celebrations.
Why Do Holidays Cause Stress?
Holidays often come with a barrage of expectations, many of which pressure us to feel a certain way: cheerful, generous, grateful, and above all, happy. But for many, these expectations can feel overwhelming, especially when life’s challenges or unresolved emotions make it hard to match society’s picture-perfect holiday image. When we struggle to meet these standards, we’re often left feeling isolated, like something must be wrong with us if we don’t feel the holiday joy everyone else seems to be celebrating. This disconnect creates a pressure cooker of emotions—anxiety, guilt, loneliness—that can quickly turn the holiday season into a season of stress.
Adding to the pressure, holiday traditions often revolve around behaviors that can mask or distract from what we’re truly feeling. From endless social gatherings and family obligations to indulgent meals, shopping sprees, and celebratory drinks, these rituals are often an avoidance of uncomfortable, disquieting emotions like sadness, frustration, or grief. We might find ourselves going through the motions of celebration while privately feeling disconnected, resentful, or overwhelmed.
Skills for Dealing with Holiday Emotions
Instead of suppressing or escaping what we feel, learning how to work with our emotions can open the door to healthier habits and more meaningful connections. Working with a therapist, especially during the holidays, can help us navigate these challenges more effectively. It allows us to build resilience, navigate difficult situations, and gain tools to reduce seasonal stress. Taking a more conscious approach to the holiday season ultimately supports our well-being, our relationships, and the things that matter most.
Learn more about Dr. BE
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
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