Holiday Health for Teens
The holiday season is right around the corner, and the promise of the new year follows closely behind. It is often seen as a time of joy, celebration and connection—but for many teens, it can also be a period of emotional strain. Laura Dykins, APRN, a nurse practitioner with Renown Children’s Primary Care, emphasizes how important it is to understand what hardships teens may experience during the holiday months and how we can offer meaningful support to teenagers and their families.
Why Holidays Can Feel Heavy for Teens
When discussing mental health with teens, there are many specific factors that can affect their mood and mental health during the holiday season. School provides structure and predictable routines. When winter break arrives, those daily rhythms and regular connection with peers may disappear. As a result, teens may feel “house trapped” and isolated. For the teen that already has underlying mental health struggles, they often feel pressured to be cheerful or “get in the holiday spirit” even when they’re struggling.
Holidays can also magnify family challenges, especially when finances are tight or there are complex family dynamics. Teens may feel caught in the middle of conflict and responsible for managing not only their own emotions but the emotions of the adults in the home as well. Additionally, shorter days and limited sunlight can significantly affect your teens’ mood and energy levels.
Signs Your Teen May Be Struggling This Season
While some holiday stress may be normal, here are some signs that your teen is struggling with their holiday health:
- Withdrawal from friends or family
- Major changes in sleep or appetite
- Increased irritability, anger or emotional outbursts
- Loss of interest in activities
- Frequent headaches or stomachaches
- Expressions of hopelessness or worthlessness
- Skipping holiday events they normally enjoy
Three Ways to Support Teens’ Holiday Health
- Encourage your teen to maintain some structure with sleep, movement and meals. Consistent sleep, spending some time outdoors and balanced foods will help their hormonal health and regulate moods.
- Help your teen coordinate an opportunity to see their friends during the holiday break and offer ideas or transportation to make it happen. If you are a family that has a jam-packed holiday schedule, discuss plans ahead of time so teens know what to expect. Keep the schedule manageable and consider their comfort levels around gatherings.
- If you sense that your teen is struggling, check in without added pressure. Ask open-ended questions like, “how are you feeling about the break?” or “what would make the holidays easier for you?” Listen more than you speak. You can offer emotional validation and discuss healthy coping mechanisms to deal with holiday stress together. Be aware of any signs of self-harm, suicidal thoughts or drastic behavior changes, which should be taken seriously and addressed immediately with professional help.
The holidays can be a complex emotional landscape for teens, filled with both meaningful moments and significant stressors. By approaching the season with empathy, flexibility and awareness, caregivers, parents and educators can help teens navigate challenges and find balance. When teens feel seen, supported and understood, they’re more likely to experience the holidays in a healthy and resilient way.