Holiday Stress and Anxiety in Chicago & Illinois: 7 Ways to Protect Your Mental Health

The Holidays Aren’t Always Merry and Bright in Chicago & Illinois

Do the holidays leave you feeling more drained than joyful? You’re not alone. The holidays are often described as the “most wonderful time of the year.” But for many people in Chicago and across Illinois, this season can actually be some of the hardest weeks of the year.

Maybe you’re already dreading the family tension, the endless to-do lists, or the money stress that seems to grow every December. Maybe grief, loneliness, or anxiety make the holidays feel heavier instead of brighter. It can leave you exhausted before the season even begins.

If this sounds like you, take a breath—you’re not the only one. And it doesn’t mean you’re ungrateful—it just means you’re human.

The good news? You can protect your mental health during the holidays and find ways to bring in more peace, more rest, and even small moments of joy this year.

Why the Holidays Trigger Stress and Anxiety

1. Family Dynamics

Gatherings in Chicago or Illinois homes often stir up old roles, unresolved conflicts, or unspoken expectations. What looks like “togetherness” from the outside can feel draining on the inside.

2. Financial Pressure

From gifts to travel to hosting costs, the holidays can strain budgets. When money is tight, the pressure to “keep up” only adds to the stress.

3. Grief and Loss

If you’ve lost a loved one, the holidays can magnify their absence. Traditions that once brought joy may now feel heavy or bittersweet.

4. Perfectionism

Trying to create the “perfect holiday” leads straight to burnout. The decorations, the food, the gifts—it’s too much for one person to carry.

5. Loneliness

Not everyone has family to gather with. For some in Chicago and Illinois, the holidays highlight disconnection rather than closeness.

7 Ways to Protect Your Mental Health This Holiday Season

1. Set Realistic Expectations for the Holidays

The holidays don’t need to be perfect. Release the pressure to make everything look like a Hallmark movie. Focus on what actually matters to you.

Ask yourself: “What’s one thing that will make this holiday meaningful for me?”

When you focus on what matters most, you free yourself from trying to do it all.

2. Create Boundaries with Family in Chicago & Illinois

Boundaries protect your peace. Decide ahead of time:

• How long you’ll stay at gatherings

• What conversations you’ll avoid

• Which traditions you’ll join—and which you’ll skip

It can feel scary to set boundaries, especially in families where “yes” has always been expected. But remember: boundaries aren’t rejection. They’re self-respect.

Try phrases like:

• “I can’t stay all day, but I’d love to come for dinner.”

• “I’m not comfortable talking about that right now.”

3. Protect Your Finances and Reduce Money Stress

Overspending adds unnecessary stress. Instead:

• Set a realistic budget and stick to it

• Offer meaningful, low-cost gifts like baked goods, framed photos, or handwritten notes

• Suggest a gift exchange or group activity instead of individual gifts

Love isn’t measured in money. The people who truly care about you will value your presence more than your presents.

4. Prioritize Rest and Downtime During the Season

You don’t have to say yes to every invitation. It’s okay to protect your calendar.

Schedule downtime—even if it’s just a night in pajamas watching a comfort show or a walk around your Chicago neighborhood to see holiday lights.

Rest isn’t laziness. It’s part of wellness.

5. Honor Your Grief and Create New Traditions

If you’re grieving, the holidays may feel bittersweet. Give yourself permission to feel the sadness and honor your loved one.

Try:

• Lighting a candle in their memory

• Starting a new tradition that keeps their presence close

• Allowing yourself to both grieve and experience moments of joy

6. Stay Connected to Supportive People and Community

Spend time with those who lift you up. If family feels hard, lean into friends, chosen family, or affirming community spaces in Chicago or throughout Illinois.

Support can look like:

• A holiday dinner with friends who feel like family

• Attending a local support group or community event

• Scheduling a video call with someone who gets you

You deserve connection that feels safe and supportive.

7. Use Simple Grounding Tools When Anxiety Spikes

When stress peaks, grounding helps calm your body and bring you back to the present.

Try:

• Deep breathing: inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 6

• 5-4-3-2-1 method: notice 5 things you see, 4 feel, 3 hear, 2 smell, 1 taste

• Movement: humming, stretching, or a short walk outside in the crisp Illinois air

What If the Holidays Still Feel Too Heavy?

Even with coping tools, the holidays may still feel overwhelming. And that’s okay. The goal isn’t to eliminate stress completely—it’s to lower it enough so you can breathe again.

If you find yourself constantly anxious, hopeless, or unable to cope, that’s a sign you don’t have to do this alone. Therapy can help.

How Therapy Can Make the Holidays Lighter

A therapist can:

• Help you prepare for difficult family dynamics

• Teach you how to set boundaries without guilt

• Offer tools to manage anxiety in the moment

• Support you in finding new ways to connect with joy—even in small, simple ways

Therapy gives you a space to be honest about how heavy the season feels and to create new ways of moving through it with more peace.

Online Therapy for Holiday Stress in Chicago & Illinois

At Mindful Healing Counseling, we understand that the holidays aren’t always easy. Our therapists provide culturally affirming, inclusive online therapy across Chicago, Evanston, Springfield, and throughout Illinois to help you manage stress, anxiety, grief, and family challenges.

You don’t have to carry the weight of the holidays alone. With the right support, you can create space for calm, rest, and connection—no matter what the season brings.

Start Therapy Today — because you deserve a holiday that feels lighter and more manageable.

Holiday Stress in Chicago & Illinois: FAQs

Is holiday stress common in Chicago and Illinois?
Yes. Between busy travel, winter weather, financial strain, and family expectations, many people in Chicago and across Illinois report higher stress around the holidays.

What are signs I should get therapy for holiday anxiety?
If stress is interfering with sleep, work, or relationships—or if you feel anxious or hopeless most days—it may be time to reach out for support.

How does online therapy help during the holidays?
Online therapy makes it easier to fit sessions into your busy schedule. You can access support from your home in Chicago or anywhere across Illinois.

Can therapy help if I feel disconnected from family?
Yes. A therapist can help you process family dynamics, set healthy boundaries, and strengthen connections with supportive people in your life.