Beware of Stress that Can Occur during the Year-End Holidays, What is the Cause?

Illustration of stress at the end of the year-end holidays. (Pexels)

JAKARTA - The end of the year vacation is a fun moment, where you can spend a lot of time with family or partner. However, the end of the year vacation can also be a stressful moment that makes you stressed.

"Holiday stress usually boils down to a mismatch between expectations and reality," said clinical psychologist Jessica Bodie, PhD, quoted from Women's Health, Friday, December 19, 2025.

Changes in routine can be a cause of stress during the year-end holidays. Starting from sleep patterns, eating, and activities that are different from usual.

During holidays, it is usually filled with activities such as travel, social events, which make the body and mind tired, to lack of rest, especially if the planning for the holidays is crowded.

Social pressure and expectations can also affect stress during the year-end holidays. This can happen because of your own thoughts or demands from the surrounding environment during the holidays, such as family.

"Families can trigger it (stress during the holidays)," said associate clinical professor Thea Gallagher.

Therefore, it is highly recommended to take a vacation that not only prioritizes others, but also yourself. With this step, you will enjoy the vacation more and reduce the risk of stress appearing.

"My best advice for reducing holiday stress is to really evaluate what your main values are for the holidays," Bodie said.

The list of various things to do during the holidays should also be adjusted to the time and ability of the body so as not to be burdened. In addition, try not to always agree to all invitations to the holiday agenda so as not to be physically and mentally exhausted.

"It's okay not to do every holiday event or visit every family member," says clinical psychologist Hillary Ammon, PsyD.