Sponsor article, 11/13/2025

Managing Holiday Stress and Mental Health. Prioritizing Us.

Dani Green, Chief Clinical Officer, Best Point Education & Behavioral Health

The holiday season is among us and for many is a time of rest and cheer; however, it can also present a heightened period of emotional and logistical stress. This paradox particularly affects us, the caregivers, nonprofit staff, social service professionals, and dedicated volunteers, the core of the helping sector. While we help others, our own mental health often suffers under the weight of increased demands, creating a dynamic where the supporters are the least supported.

For those of us in the helping professions, the "invisible load" of the holidays involves navigating both personal obligations and increased workload. Our agencies and services frequently see spikes in client need, requiring us to stretch ourselves when we are already managing our own family’s gatherings, needs, and financial strains. This pressure accelerates the risk of burnout. When professional boundaries are not maintained, the line between work and personal life dissolves, leading to a state of chronic exhaustion.

To reduce the risk of compassion fatigue and burnout, we must redefine self-care as a necessary component of our work, rather than a luxury. The most important step is establishing firm professional and personal boundaries, which can include blocking out non-negotiable quiet time in our schedules, utilizing earned time off, and learning to respectfully decline additional commitments that push past healthy limits. Recognizing that self-care is essential for maintaining the energy and clarity needed to provide effective service can help alleviate the guilt often associated with stepping away.

Our work is invaluable to the fabric of the community, especially during the holidays. However, for our service to be sustainable, we must prioritize our own emotional and psychological well-being. Managing holiday stress is not a sign of personal weakness; it is a vital professional strategy for maintaining the emotional capacity necessary to perform important, compassionate work. In order to continue to lift others, we must remember to prioritize ourselves and embrace the peace and rest we so freely provide to everyone else.