Holiday Joy (and Sanity) for Working Parents

"Between end-of-year work deadlines, school programs, holiday parties, and the emotional marathon of family gatherings, December often feels like one long sprint. And don't get me started on moving that darn little elf. There have been nights I've woken up in a cold sweat thinking, "I forgot to move the elf!" Let's just say that bringing the holiday magic comes with a price for parents."

"For those of us in medicine, it can also be one of the busiest times professionally. The operating rooms are full, schedules are tight, and yet we're still expected to show up to the cookie exchange with a smile and a tray of homemade treats. It's no wonder so many parents reach January feeling depleted instead of restored. But what if, this year, you decided not to chase the picture-perfect holiday? What if you made joy, not perfection, your metric for success?"

"Research consistently shows that the holidays are a high-stress period for working adults. A 2023 survey by the American Psychological Association found that 69 percent of parents report feeling stressed about a lack of time during the holidays, and more than half cite financial pressure as a major source of anxiety. Add in social obligations and family dynamics, and it's easy to understand why many of us enter the season already running on empty."

December layers end-of-year work deadlines, school programs, holiday parties, and family gatherings into an exhausting sprint for many parents. Medical professionals face added pressure with full operating rooms and tight schedules while still meeting social expectations. The holidays elevate stress: a 2023 APA survey found 69 percent of parents feel time-related stress and over half cite financial pressure. Cultural expectations to make holidays "magical" often push self-care aside and drive pursuit of perfection. Prioritizing presence, joy, consistent sleep, movement, and clear boundaries helps protect mental and emotional wellbeing and supports restoration by January.

Read at Psychology Today