The“most wonderful time of the year” is upon us! For many families, this season is bustling, busy, overbooked… and stressful. Between packed calendars, dress up days, last minute white elephant gifts, high expectations, and loads of togetherness, it’s no surprise that anxiety tends to spike this time of year.
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Personally, I am big on traditions. I love visiting Mad Potter every year and having my daughters paint ornaments as grandparent gifts. We have a gingerbread house building night, watch Elf, and order hot chocolates from Starbuck’s to sip on while we drive around Pecan Grove (5 minutes from the grandparents’ houses) to see the extravagant decorations and light displays. Moving that darn Elf on the Shelf is the bane of my existence from December 1 - December 24th.Â
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I used to think that we had to squeeze every single thing in for the season to feel memorable and special (see below). But last year, we never made it to Mad Potter. My youngest ate all of the candy before it went on the gingerbread house. We chose to skip driving the hour out to Pecan Grove and drove around River Oaks instead (not the same… but good enough).  When we forget to move the Elf we make up a story about it being too tired and needing a rest. While the grandparents are missing 2024 handprints, no one missed the stress of trying to get fingerprints not to blur or keeping a 2 year old still around a bunch of ceramics. There was still a lot of together-time, still lots of twinkling photos, the excitement and joy still existed, despite not crossing everything off of the list and maybe more so because of the empty space on the calendar.
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Boundaries and small shifts in mindset and expectations can make a difference in how you and your family experience and enjoy the holiday season. Instead of the perfect holiday season this year, I encourage you to strive for good enough. Ditch the ideas you have that create more stress than presence. You’ll subtract the anxiety… while your joy is multiplied.Â
The Psychology of Holiday Stress
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When we start anticipating big events like the holidays, our brains don’t always distinguish between stressful and exciting. Holidays, vacations, or family gatherings combine several known anxiety triggers such as:Â
unpredictability
social evaluation
loss of routine
When multiple triggers stack up, even people who don’t typically feel anxious can start noticing shorter fuses, racing thoughts, or difficulty relaxing.
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The same systems that protect us in moments of danger — the amygdala, the HPA axis, and the body’s fight-or-flight response — light up when we’re juggling travel plans, family dynamics, and expectations. Our brains interpret unpredictability, social pressure, and sensory overload as potential “threats,” flooding us with stress hormones that make us tense, restless, or snappy.
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Knowing that this is a biological response (not a personal failure) helps us approach the season with more compassion. Once we know our bodies are wired this way, we can start using simple tools such as deep breathing, grounding, movement, and setting boundaries to calm those systems down and actually enjoy the moments that matter.
What Helps?
Understanding why the holidays feel so stressful gives us a roadmap for what to do about it. Once we name what’s happening, we can start making intentional choices instead of running on autopilot.
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Start by noticing your own stress signals such as tension in your shoulders, irritability, or the sense that you’re “doing everything for everyone.” These are gentle reminders from your nervous system that it’s time to slow down. Then, ask yourself what matters most to you this season.Â
When we focus on connection instead of perfection, it becomes much easier to set boundaries that align with our values.
Protecting Your Peace This Holiday Season
(and Modeling Calm For Your Kids)
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The holidays can quickly turn into a juggling act of obligations and expectations. Every “yes” has a cost.Before committing, pause and ask:Â
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Does this align with what matters most to our family right now?
Saying no doesn’t make you difficult; it makes you intentional. Try phrases like:
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“We’d love to, but we’re keeping this weekend low-key.” “We’re simplifying this year to make it more manageable.”
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When you set limits with kindness, you model something powerful for your kids. You’re teaching them that emotional health comes before perfection or people-pleasing. You’re teaching them that it’s okay to rest, to say no, and to choose what brings peace over what brings pressure.
And perhaps the most important advice:model what coping looks like.Â
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When you notice your own anxiety rising, name it out loud: “I’m feeling a little overwhelmed, so I’m going to take a minute to breathe before we keep going.” Children learn more from how we handle our stress than from anything we say about it.
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Protect your calm, honor your limits, and let your family see that peace is something we can practice — not something that happens when everything’s perfect.
Inside, you’ll find quick, evidence-based tools from CBT and ACT that help calm stress, reset expectations, and bring your family back to what really matters.Â
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You’ll learn how to: ✨ Challenge perfectionistic thoughts and people-pleasing habits ✨ Set compassionate boundaries (and keep them!) ✨ Stay grounded through mindfulness and small, realistic resets ✨ Build family rituals that encourage calm and connection
This season does not have to be perfect to be meaningful. Small moments of being present, being calm, and feeling connected add up. We're here to help you find them.Â
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If you are struggling to rid yourself of the strive for perfection and want support for you or your children this holiday season, we're here - offering one-on-one individual and parent sessions, as well as our fun Thanksgiving CBT + Cooking Camp, family counseling, and of course, the resources and support you need.
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You’ve got this — and we’ve got you.💚
How Houston Anxiety & Wellness Center Can Help
Our team specializes in supporting children, teens, adults, and parents navigating anxiety, perfectionism, and stress. We offer evidence-based care rooted in CBT, ACT, SPACE, and mindfulness — along with proactive programs designed to build resilience before challenges escalate.
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✔️ Individual Therapy Sessions We provide expert, evidence-based therapy for children, adolescents, young adults, parents, and families — both in-person and via telehealth across Texas and 42+ PsyPact states. If the holiday season feels overwhelming, our clinicians can help you or your child find clarity, calm, and confidence.
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✔️ Proactive Skills Camps This November, we’re launching a three-day CBT + Cooking Camp where kids learn real coping strategies while creating fun recipes. These foundational skills — emotional regulation, flexible thinking, and calming strategies — help children manage both everyday stress and holiday overwhelm.
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✔️ Parent Consults Need individualized guidance? Our psychologists and counselors offer focused parent sessions to help you navigate anxiety, communication challenges, school stress, or family dynamics with more confidence and less reactivity.
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✔️ Parenting Group Therapy Beginning January, we’re offering our next SPACE Parent Group, a structured program (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) that teaches parents how to reduce accommodations, strengthen connection, and empower their child’s independence. Get on the list now to be the first to know when registration opens.Â
Practice Updates
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Thanksgiving CBT+ cooking camp | November 24th - 26th
There are TWO SPOTS LEFT in our CBT Thanksgiving camp!!
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CBT Skills:
Emotional Literacy and Regulation Skills
Cognitive Reframing/Flexible Thinking
Growth Mindset
Problem Solving Skills
The CBT thoughts-feelings-actions triangle
Healthy communication/assertiveness skills
Recipes Like:Â
Veggie Pilgrim Hats
Mac and Cheese
S’mores Crescents
Turkey Quesadillas
Harvest Parfaits
Apple Pie PocketsÂ
👉🏽 It's not too late to register! Email: info@houstonanxiety.com or call 832.205.8120 to speak with Kim or Lindsey.Â
Check out our latest blog posts written by the clinicians on our team
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✨ “Thanksgiving and Politics: How to Protect Your Peace This Holiday Season” by Carla Wall, LPC-A Sitting at the table this year and bracing for political tension? You’re not alone. This post offers simple, effective tools to set emotional boundaries, stay grounded, and preserve your peace — even when the conversation gets heated. Read the full article.
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📝 “The Parent-Therapist Partnership: Why a Parent’s Role in Child Anxiety Treatment is Crucial for Success” by Ivy Ruths, PhD Discover how your involvement transforms your child’s anxiety treatment from helpful to truly effective — and how to partner with your therapist for real-world change. This article breaks down the simple, powerful shifts parents can make that dramatically improve outcomes. Read the full article.
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Collaboration & Connection
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At Houston Anxiety & Wellness Center, we believe connection is everything — with our clients, with each other, and with our community. When our team shows up at events, collaborates with colleagues, or supports local organizations, it helps us stay grounded, inspired, and ready to show up fully for the families we serve. Here are a few highlights from this month!
We'd love to work with you! Our team of expert clinicians specializes in treating anxiety, OCD, eating disorders, body-focused repetitive disorders, and parenting difficulties — all through evidence-based care.
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We only use therapies that have been proven effective through years of research such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE), and Exposure and Response Prevention.Â
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Virtual sessions are available for anyone in Texas, and our psychologists can see clients in all 42 PsyPact approved states.
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Not sure how or who to schedule with? Start with ourtherapist matching form and our client care team will match you with the right-fit therapist for you within 1 business day.
