Short answer: the holiday season combines shorter days, disrupted routines, financial pressure, family dynamics and, for many, grief. Planning ahead, setting limits and keeping up treatment can make the season much more manageable.
Why the holidays are hard
- Less daylight in New England, which affects mood and sleep
- Travel and late nights that throw off routines
- More alcohol at gatherings
- Family conflict or loneliness
- Anniversaries of losses and empty chairs at the table
- Money stress
Practical strategies
- Protect sleep and morning light: keep a regular wake time and get outside early
- Plan your exits: decide in advance how long you will stay at gatherings
- Limit alcohol: it worsens anxiety and sleep
- Set a budget: and talk about gift limits with family
- Make space for grief: a candle, a story or a moment of remembrance
- Keep appointments: schedule follow-ups and refills before travel
Traveling with medication
Bring enough medication plus a few extra days, keep it in your carry-on, and know how to reach your psychiatrist or pharmacy while away. Telehealth visits can usually happen while you are in Massachusetts; visits while out of state depend on licensing rules.
When to reach out
If low mood, anxiety or drinking is escalating, or you have thoughts of self-harm, reach out now. Call or text 988 at any time.
Navigating family tension
Choose your battles before you arrive. Decide which topics you will gently steer away from, have a phrase ready (“let’s talk about something else”), and plan short breaks such as a walk outside. It is fine to celebrate in a way that protects your wellbeing, including smaller gatherings or new traditions.
Loneliness during the holidays
If you will be alone, plan ahead: volunteer, join a community meal, schedule video calls, or make a simple plan for the day. Loneliness is common during this season, and reaching out to a friend you have not spoken to in a while often helps both of you.
Students home for break
College students returning home may struggle with lost independence, family expectations or untreated anxiety and depression that surfaced during the semester. Break is a good time for an evaluation and a plan before the next term starts.
Frequently asked questions
Is it seasonal depression or holiday stress?
Holiday stress eases in January; seasonal depression often continues into March. Read about seasonal affective disorder.
Can I get an appointment before the holidays?
Booking early helps. Request an appointment.
Psych Boston supports adults, teens and children in Lexington and across Massachusetts by telehealth.
Related reading: How to Talk to Your Family About Your Mental Health · ADHD and Anxiety Together: Untangling the Overlap
This article is general information, not medical advice. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 or call 911. Psych Boston is an outpatient psychiatry practice at 35 Bedford St #17, Lexington, MA781-218-9550).