Finding Calm and Support Through the Holiday Season
A personal note on mental health during the holidays, and why this season might be the right time to start therapy
The holidays are often described as a joyful time, lights, gatherings, traditions, and moments that feel warm and nostalgic. And while that can be true, I also know from years of sitting with clients (and honestly, my own life, too) that the holidays can bring up a lot of emotions we don’t always talk about.
Maybe you’re juggling family expectations.
Maybe you’re missing someone.
Maybe you’re trying to stay present for your kids while quietly managing your own anxiety or exhaustion.
Or maybe you’re just overwhelmed and feeling guilty for not being as “festive” as you think you should be.
If any of that resonates, I want you to know something right away:
You’re not alone, and nothing is wrong with you.
So many people struggle during the holidays, even though it doesn’t always look that way from the outside.
Why the Holidays Feel Heavier Than We Expect
The holiday season has a way of shining a light on whatever we’re already carrying.
For some, it’s a season full of connection.
For others, it brings:
Holiday stress from expectations or pressure
Anxiety about gatherings or family dynamics
Grief for someone who isn’t here this year
Loneliness, even when surrounded by others
Financial strain
Fatigue from trying to be “on” all the time
Seasonal changes that affect mood
As a therapist, I hear so many people say things like:
“Everyone else seems so happy… what’s wrong with me?”
And the truth is, absolutely nothing.
The holidays are emotionally layered. They can bring joy and heaviness at the same time.
Gentle Ways to Care for Your Mental Health This Holiday Season
You don’t need a long list of tasks to feel better. Sometimes the most meaningful changes are small and compassionate.
Here are a few reminders I share often with clients, and use myself, too:
1. Give yourself permission to slow down
You don’t have to do everything.
You don’t have to meet every expectation.
You’re allowed to rest.
2. Hold onto routines that ground you
A few minutes of quiet, a walk, journaling, a warm drink, breathing intentionally, these small rhythms matter, especially during chaotic seasons.
3. Set boundaries that protect your emotional health
If certain conversations or people drain you, it’s okay to limit your time or step away.
Boundaries aren’t unkind, they’re caring.
4. Make room for whatever feelings show up
Maybe you’re grieving.
Maybe you’re anxious.
Maybe you’re exhausted.
Your feelings deserve space, not pressure.
5. Reach out sooner rather than later
Support doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. Support means you’re human.
Why the Holidays Can Actually Be a Meaningful Time to Start Therapy
Many people tell me they plan to “wait until January” to start counseling.
But honestly?
Some of the most powerful breakthroughs happen when people start during the holiday season.
This time of year naturally brings up things we’ve been avoiding or pushing down:
Relationship tension
Difficult family patterns
Emotional burnout
Feelings of loneliness
Anxiety about expectations
Grief resurfacing
And therapy can offer a space to untangle those feelings with support instead of trying to push through alone.
Beginning now means you’re not entering the new year already drained, you’re entering it with clarity, grounding, and tools that help you breathe again.
If you’ve been considering therapy, this might be your gentle nudge.
🤍 A Note from Our Team
The holidays don’t have to be perfect.
And you don’t have to carry everything by yourself.
At Emily Schupmann Counseling & Associates, our team truly cares about walking alongside you, whether you’re navigating holiday stress, relationship struggles, family tension, or a season of emotional overwhelm.
We offer:
Individual Counseling for anxiety, burnout, emotional stress
Couples Counseling to help partners reconnect and communicate more deeply
Family Counseling for navigating conflict or holiday-related tension
You can meet with us in person in Fort Worth or online anywhere in Texas.
Whatever you’re going through, we’re here, with warmth, understanding, and no judgment.
💚 A Gentle Invitation
If this season feels heavier than you expected, or if you’ve been thinking about starting therapy, I’d love for you to reach out.
Sometimes the hardest step is simply saying, “I need support.”
But it’s also one of the bravest.
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation
You deserve peace, connection, and support, this holiday season and every season to come.
