Holiday joy, hidden strain: What Tarrant County experts advise to tackle winter stress

by Ismael M. Belkoura, Fort Worth Report
December 22, 2025

For some, the end of the year marks an opportunity to connect with the people closest to you and relax after 12 months of hard work. For others, the holidays bring heightened levels of unwanted anxiety.

Stress around the winter holidays is heightened for 41% of Americans, according to a 2023 poll conducted by the American Psychological Association. 

“By the time the holiday gets here, you may be so overwhelmed and burned out — just hoping for the new year to arrive so that it could be over,” said Jessica Reyes, a behavioral health licensed clinician at JPS Health Network.

The survey indicated money troubles and challenging situations with loved ones as the main stressors.

The financial responsibilities of purchasing gifts and potential lack of paid time off makes the end of the year a less festive time for many, Reyes said.

Meanwhile, societal pressures can make monetary decisions feel like a required expectation, added Alicia Young, a clinical forensic psychologist at Acclaim Health. 

“You’re going to see a bunch of commercials like, ‘Oh it’s Christmas. Here’s a sale,’” Young said. “Subconsciously, that adds more pressure to a lot of people during the holidays.”

Strained relationships or grief over the absence of loved ones often feels more pronounced around the holidays and cause anxiety, health experts said.

For those who are homeless or struggling with poverty, lack of human connection can be exacerbated this time of year, Young added.

“Access to resources is already limited, and that can compound some feelings they might have of loneliness, or make them more aware of the lack of support that they might have,” Young said.

Tips to relieve stress

If you have a good set of stress coping skills, you should fall back on them during the winter weeks.

Reyes noted that being able to practice stress management during the year can make dealing with the difficulty of the holidays easier.

“It may be as simple as recognizing when you’re feeling stressed,” she said. “Finding someone to talk to, finding an activity that you really enjoy, taking a walk outside, listening to music, or coloring.”

Reyes added that realizing what’s most important during the holidays — connecting with the people and activities you love the most — can alleviate the stress connected with expectations.

“You have the ability to change your perceptions about those expectations,” Reyes said. “Really prioritizing what is important in finding ways to make those special holiday memories.”

Ismael M. Belkoura is the health reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at ismael.belkoura@fortworthreport.org. 

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