December 2025
Understanding Youth Stress During the Festive Season.
Helping Young People Feel Seen, Safe, and Supported This Winter.
The holiday season is often portrayed as a time filled with joy, celebration, and togetherness—but for many young people, that isn’t the full story. Between social expectations, academic pressure, family commitments, and personal challenges, this time of year can magnify stress, anxiety, loneliness, or grief. As parents, caregivers, and guardians, your presence, understanding, and willingness to openly discuss emotions can make all the difference.
Start a conversation:
Although the holidays are meant to be merry, many young people experience the opposite. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 64% of individuals with a mental health condition report worsening symptoms during the holidays. Gen Z, in particular, feels the pressure—65% say they experience elevated stress during this time.
The best place to start? Open, honest, low-pressure conversations.
Create opportunities to check in about emotions, expectations, or worries. Let them know it’s normal not to feel happy every moment—no matter what they see in movies, at school, or on social media.
Simple statements like “I’m here if you want to talk” or “How has the holiday season been feeling for you lately?” can open a meaningful door.
Balance commitments and downtime:
Between concerts, shopping, gatherings, decorating, and school events, December fills up fast. While traditions can be fun, too many obligations can leave youth feeling overwhelmed.
Help them learn how to balance togetherness and rest:
Set aside intentional downtime—no schedule, no expectations.
Create “quiet evenings” as a family where you watch a movie, cook a favorite meal, or unwind.
Please encourage them to say no when they need space.
Teaching young people how to recharge is one of the greatest gifts you can offer.
Acknowledge and validate grief:
If your family has experienced a loss—recent or past—the holidays may feel bittersweet. Many teens struggle with grief but hesitate to bring it up, especially during a season that emphasizes joy.
Ways to support them:
Talk openly about the person you lost and how everyone is feeling.
Give your child permission to skip or modify traditions that feel too painful.
Create new rituals to honor your loved one, such as lighting a candle or sharing a favorite memory.
Seek professional support if grief becomes overwhelming or interferes with daily functioning.
Grief shared is grief softened—remind your child they don’t have to carry it alone.
Limit screen time and comparison triggers:
Social media is packed with highlight reels during the holidays, and for young people already feeling down, these images can intensify feelings of inadequacy or loneliness.
Try:
Encouraging screen-free time in the evenings or during family activities
Suggesting they delete or pause apps temporarily
Turning off notifications to reduce temptation and comparison cycles
Less screen time can help them focus on the moments that matter—rather than how their life compares to someone else’s.
Encourage healthy routines:
Stress affects the body and mind, and healthy habits can ground youth during an overwhelming season. These habits don’t need to be major lifestyle changes; small steps can make a meaningful difference.
Some ideas:
Getting consistent sleep
Drinking enough water
Taking walks or playing outside
Eating regular meals
Spending time on creative outlets or calming activities
Modeling these behaviors as an adult makes a big impact—youth are more likely to adopt healthy practices when they see the adults around them doing the same.
The Bottom Line:
The holidays can bring a whirlwind of emotions. By creating space for honest conversations, validating difficult feelings, and supporting healthy routines, you can help the young people in your life feel more grounded, understood, and loved.
📚 Sources & Further Reading
If you’d like to learn more these resources offer excellent insights:
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Holiday Mental Health Statistics (https://www.nami.org/from-the-ceo/the-most-difficult-time-of-the-year-mental-health-during-the-holidays/)
Springtide Research Institute: 3 Ways to Help Gen Z Deal With Holiday Stress (https://springtideresearch.org/post/diversity-and-gen-z/3-ways-to-help-gen-z-deal-with-holiday-stress?srsltid=AfmBOopQeoMDG9bfj0Mlz6zcy3JtdQw_OhsMrR-Zb2PzL49t7iRlZu2H)
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Supporting Youth During the Holidays (https://www.nctsn.org/resources/supporting-children-and-teens-during-this-holiday-season)
Health Children: 7 Holiday Mental Health Tips for Families (https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/emotional-wellness/Pages/Holiday-Mental-Health-Tips.aspx)
The American Psychological Association (APA): American Psychological Association on Stress (https://www.ncesd.org/behavior-health/resource-apa-stress/)