Holiday Stress & Mothers: Why It Matters — and How to Navigate It

Maureen Coulter
Nov 26, 2025
2 min read

The holidays can be beautiful — full of family, giving, and cherished traditions. But for many mothers, this season also brings overwhelm, exhaustion, and pressure to make everything perfect.

At Rising Sun Therapy, we help mothers find calm amid the chaos — so they can move through the holidays with presence, not perfection.

What the Research Shows

63% of Americans say the holidays are more stressful than tax season.
79% admit they neglect their own wellbeing while focusing on others.
Mothers are twice as likely as fathers to report high stress during the holiday season.
Only 27% of women say they feel able to relax during the holidays.

These numbers tell an important story — many mothers spend so much energy creating joy for others that they lose touch with their own.

Why Holiday Stress Hits Mothers Hard

Mothers often carry an invisible “mental load”: remembering traditions, planning meals, coordinating gifts, and managing emotions. Add social expectations and fatigue, and stress levels rise quickly.

Holiday perfectionism can lead to burnout, irritability, and even symptoms of anxiety or depression — especially when self-care falls to the bottom of the list.

Therapist-Recommended Tips to Ease Holiday Stress

Let go of perfection. Focus on what truly matters to your family.
Delegate and simplify. You don’t have to do it all alone.
Build in rest. Schedule downtime the same way you plan gatherings.
Say no kindly. Protect your energy by setting gentle boundaries.
Ground yourself. Deep breathing, mindfulness, and short walks can lower stress.
Reflect often. Ask: “Does this bring peace or pressure?” Adjust accordingly.

How Rising Sun Therapy Can Help

Rising Sun Therapy offers compassionate, evidence-based support for mothers navigating the emotional challenges of the season.

Through individual sessions, mindfulness-based therapy, and creative workshops like Art for Self-Care, Leah helps women reconnect with calm, confidence, and clarity.

If the holidays feel heavy this year, we’re here to help you find light again.