"While the holiday season is supposed to be a time of joy, connection, and lots of filling up on delicious holiday dishes, for many people, the pleasures fall short of their hopes. For some people, Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations inspire stress, the pressure to live up to family expectations, and overeating to feed one's emotional pain, along with psychological and/or physical isolation. Parents juggle restless kids in unfamiliar settings, hosts fret over creating "perfect" gatherings, and privacy can be hard to come by."
"According to a 2023 American Psychological Association survey, 43 percent of U.S. adults felt that the stress of the holidays makes it hard to enjoy them.In addition to that, in a more recent 2025 study published in the Eating and Weight Disorders journal, Thomas et al. analyzed over 10 million social media posts that showed a body image dissatisfaction spike during this season."
A 2023 American Psychological Association survey found 43 percent of U.S. adults felt holiday stress made the season hard to enjoy. Disrupted sleep during the holidays lowers mood, increases stress, and reduces sexual satisfaction. Social media analysis in 2025 of over 10 million posts revealed a spike in body image dissatisfaction during the season, driven by unwanted weight gain, New Year’s resolutions, and fitness pressures. Caloric intake on Christmas can be extremely high, with one 2023 analysis reporting some meals approaching or exceeding 6,000 calories. Family expectations, travel, hosting pressures, and comparison contribute to anxiety and reduced well-being.
Read at Psychology Today
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