By Sarah Hildreth, LCSW, Staff Psychotherapist
Posted: December 11, 2025
While there is a lot to celebrate and look forward to in the coming month,
the holiday season can also prove to be a really stressful time of year. It may not come as a
shock to many, research consistently shows an increase in symptoms of depression and anxiety
during the holidays.
There are a number of contributing factors to what might increase our stress levels
during holidays. There might be changes in gatherings since COVID, expectations to be
persistently joyful, grief and loneliness can feel heavier, passionate political opinions at the
dinner table can create tension, shorter days may contribute to seasonal affective disorder, and
there is often an increase in financial strain, to name a few. With all of this in mind, it’s perfectly
reasonable that we might notice an increase in stress and tension during the holidays.
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