Finding Peace Through the Holidays: Stress Management
Stress, Grief, and Staying Present
The holiday season often brings a mix of joy, tradition, and connection — but it can also stir up stress and grief. For many people, feelings of nostalgia and missing loved ones are especially sharp this time of year. Understanding how stress works and giving yourself permission to experience what’s real can make the season more manageable.
Dr. Karl Albrecht’s classic model of stress helps frame how tension shows up in our lives. He explains that stress isn’t a single thing, but comes in different forms — like time stress (feeling there’s never enough time), anticipatory stress (worry about the future), situational stress (pressure from what’s happening right now), and encounter stress (stress tied to interactions with people). Recognizing what type of stress you’re under can help you choose how to handle it rather than just react to it.
Grief and loneliness are common during the holidays, and experts emphasize it’s okay to feel these emotions instead of suppressing them. Allowing yourself to acknowledge sadness — even in the middle of festivities — is part of healthy coping. Simple steps like creating new traditions to honor someone you’ve lost, taking breaks when overwhelmed, and giving yourself permission to miss someone without forcing happiness can make a real difference.
Managing holiday stress also means setting boundaries and simplifying your expectations. Licensed clinicians and mental health professionals recommend being selective about social commitments, saying no when necessary, and making time for rest. Setting clear limits with family and friends protects your energy and fosters healthier interactions.
Research shows that shifting how we think about the holidays — from perfection and pressure to connection and meaning — matters. Taking time for self-care, prioritizing what’s truly important to you, and practicing gratitude can help you stay grounded. Gratitude doesn’t ignore pain; it simply widens your perspective so that even amid difficulty, you notice what supports you and brings comfort.
Ultimately, low-stress living during the holidays isn’t about avoiding all negative feelings. It’s about recognizing stress early, giving yourself space to grieve, protecting your peace, and choosing what matters most so you can experience the season in a way that feels meaningful. If grief or stress feels overwhelming, reaching out to a trusted friend or licensed professional can provide support and clarity when you need it most.