The holidays can be a time for making great memories with loved ones. Yet some years are more about holding on to those memories than making new ones. Often, the weeks before these celebrations are packed with preparation and other responsibilities. Teens can get just as stressed, anxious or depressed during the holidays as adults — and mostly for the same reasons. It’s important for them to set aside some time to care for themselves and try to stick to daily routines that keep them healthy and mentally well.

This blog post lists eight reasons why teens may have a hard time with their mental health during the holidays.

8 reasons why the holidays can be tough for your teen’s mental health

During the last few months of the year, your teen’s daily routines might look a lot different than they usually do. Many families overbook their schedules, leaving little time to de-stress. The end of the year also brings final exams, school pageants, formal dances and other extracurricular occasions. Your child may find themselves worrying about more things while getting less time to rest and recover.

The holidays themselves can also be a source of stress. Having high expectations for the perfect presents, food and celebrations can obscure any sense of gratitude for what you do have. Before your family’s big get-together, take some time for a heart-to-heart with your teen about what’s on their mind and what matters most.

Teens may struggle with their mental health over the holidays for the following reasons:

• High expectations — It’s OK to want your big holiday to be special. However, it’s not realistic to expect every year to be perfect. Reflecting on the intangible things that matter most — like good memories with family — can help your teen manage their expectations and feel a bit more gratitude.
• Break from daily routines — Maybe your teen is elated or relieved to have some time off school. However, not seeing their friends or having as much structure to their day can have negative effects. For one thing, going to bed at different times and getting less sleep can affect their mood. Try to create some different routines during their winter break.
• Less sunlight and time outside — Your teen may not get as much vitamin D or exercise during the winter months. Changes in circadian rhythm play a big role in seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Try to get your teen outside for some winter fun or encourage them to move their body each day.
• Busy schedules — School projects and finals can create a lot of pressure for teens leading up to the winter holidays. Then there are practices, recitals and performances for their extracurriculars. Adding holiday celebrations may make an already busy season even busier. Make sure your teen has some time to wind down and relax at least once a week.
• Family conflicts — Are there certain family members you only see around the holidays? Or old conflicts that might come up when everyone gets together under one roof? Family drama can be especially hard for teens if they don’t feel they have a voice. If this might be the case for your teen, talk with them about it beforehand. Create an action plan to help them manage their emotions if these things come up. 
• Financial stress — If your family is under financial strain, there’s a good chance your teen is aware of it. Young people may worry about buying gifts and getting the bills paid. They might feel a sense of responsibility to help out, too. Consider talking with your teen about how you’re budgeting for the end of the year.
• Relationship stress — If your teen has a significant other, they might stress over making plans with them or spending the holidays apart. This is a good opportunity to show some compassion while talking about healthy boundaries and expectations.
• Mental health conditions — Teens who have mental health conditions may experience worse symptoms around the holidays for all the reasons listed here. Make sure your teen is caring for their physical health, taking any medications they need and sticking with their treatment plan.

Every year isn’t going to be the best holiday ever, and that’s OK. During the tougher years, we gain important perspective on the people and the traditions that make this season so meaningful. If your teen is feeling overwhelmed, try to connect with them and show them you understand. 

Some teens with mental health conditions may have a harder time functioning during the holidays. At Lightfully, we provide three levels of comprehensive mental health treatment for teens. We offer a Short-Term Option for each one so you can make treatments work with your family’s schedule. 

If you’re ever considering a higher level of mental health treatment for your teen, contact us. We can work with you to give your teen the support they need.