--- title: "Unwrapping Holiday Fatigue, New Year's Blues, and Seasonal Funk" url: https://www.sidekickstrategies.com/blog/holiday-fatigue-new-years-blues-seasonal-depression description: "Why do we feel so stressed around the holidays? Why is there so much pressure to be perfect and happy going into the new year? And what needs to change ..." type: article updated: 2026-09-28T00:22:26Z canonical: https://www.sidekickstrategies.com/blog/holiday-fatigue-new-years-blues-seasonal-depression --- # Unwrapping Holiday Fatigue, New Year's Blues, and Seasonal Funk _“It’s the most wonderful time of the year . . . It’s the hap-happiest season of all.”_ So says a classic song of the holiday season. But is it? A lesser known Christmas song by Dean Martin sheds a little light on what some folks — regardless of their religious affiliation — might be feeling this time of year, when commercials push family togetherness and talk of New Year's resolutions start in full swing: The Christmas Blues by Dean Martin _The jingle bells are jingling_ _The streets are white with snow_ _The happy crowds are mingling_ _But there's no one that I know_ _I'm sure that you'll forgive me_ _If I don't enthuse_ _I guess I've got the Christmas blues_ _I've done my window shopping_ _There's not a store I've missed_ _But what's the use of stopping_ _When there's no one on your list_ _You'll know the way I'm feeling_ _When you love and you lose_ _I guess I've got the Christmas blues_ _When somebody wants you_ _Somebody needs you_ _Christmas is a joy of joy_ _But friends, when you're lonely_ _You'll find that it's only_ _A thing for little girls and little boys_ _May all your days be merry_ _Your seasons full of cheer_ _But 'til it's January_ _I'll just go and disappear_ _Oh Santa may have brought you some stars for your shoes_ _But Santa only brought me the blues_ _Those brightly packaged tinsel covered Christmas blues_ _Oh Santa may have brought you some stars for your shoes_ _But Santa only brought me the blues_ _Those brightly packaged tinsel covered Christmas blues_ This week, we're not pretending that, for some of us, this time of year is a jingle bell-decked cake walk. Instead, we're leaning into the discomfort, loneliness, and stress some of us may be feeling as we look ahead to the new year. Rest assured, if any part of those lyrics resonated with you, you're certainly not alone. Heck, the last thing this holiday season is for me this year is normal, so I'm right there with you. So, gather 'round, friends. Your feelings, whatever they may be ([anger](https://www.sidekickstrategies.com/blog/how-to-process-anger), [fear](https://www.sidekickstrategies.com/blog/how-to-deal-with-fear-personal-growth), [lack of connection](https://www.sidekickstrategies.com/blog/quality-importance-of-relationships)), are entirely valid. Now, let's talk about how we can move forward through this season together — perhaps with different perspectives. ## Questions We Discuss - How do George and I struggle with the holiday season? - What is it about this time of year that creates so much artificial pressure to be joyous and goal-oriented? How much of this pressure is external? How much of it do we create for ourselves? - When you're just not feeling the holiday season, how do we navigate it? - Why do we have such complex feelings about New Year's resolutions? - How would we encourage folks who struggle with New Year's resolutions, and the idea of a new year feels more overwhelming and daunting, to think about 2024? ## Key Takeaways - Reframe your expectations and create new traditions during the holiday season. - Take time for yourself and simplify your to-do list. - Connect with your why and be honest about your feelings. - Avoid the pressure to conform to societal expectations and focus on what brings you joy. - Instead of setting New Year's resolutions, strive for continuous personal growth throughout the year. Change your perspective on New Year's and view it as a fresh start rather than a time to fix past failures. - Set monthly goals instead of overwhelming resolutions. - Align your priorities and expectations to ensure they are in harmony. - Embrace the present moment and appreciate the progress you have made. - Believe in yourself and make 2024 the year of self-love. ## Holiday + New Year's Statistics The holiday season sparks conflicting feelings as over two in five U.S. adults (43%) would use both positive and negative words to describe the holidays, and 72% agree that the holiday season can feel bittersweet. Four in five adults (80%) would describe the holidays in positive terms such as fun (50%), joyous (49%), or exciting (45%), while 63% would use negative words such as stressful (40%), overwhelming or exhausting (34% each). To manage the stress of the holiday season, nearly nine in 10 adults who reported experiencing stress at this time (88%) said they have coping mechanisms that help them handle it. A majority of adults who experience stress (70%) said they are comfortable talking with others about their stress during this time—although only 41% said they actually do so—while others focus on strategies such as managing their expectations (38%), reminding themselves that the season will pass (35%) or volunteering to help others (16%). Fewer adults said they turn to negative or potentially harmful coping mechanisms during the holiday season. Close to two in five adults who experience stress during the holiday season (38%) said they use negative coping mechanisms such as isolating themselves (21%), changing their eating habits by overeating or restricting their diets (16%), or relying on substances such as alcohol or nicotine to feel better (13%). Sources: [APA](https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2023/11/holiday-season-stress#:~:text=While%20nearly%20half%20of%20U.S.,other%20points%20in%20the%20year.), [Harvard](https://hms.harvard.edu/news-events/publications-archive/brain/holiday-stress-brain), [Forbes](https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/new-years-resolutions-statistics), [The Depression Project](https://thedepressionproject.com/blogs/news/what-is-holiday-depression-like) ## Related BYD Episodes - [What Is Beyond Your Default? Why This Podcast + Why Now?](https://www.sidekickstrategies.com/blog/what-is-the-beyond-your-default-podcast-why-now-where-are-we-going) - [The Power of Forgiveness, Part II: The Healing Power of Forgiving Yourself](https://www.sidekickstrategies.com/blog/the-power-of-forgiveness-part-ii-healing-by-forgiving-ourselves) - [Good Ego vs. Bad Ego: What to Do When You Get Too Big for Your Britches](https://www.sidekickstrategies.com/blog/good-ego-vs-bad-ego-humility-tips) - [Unlocking Your Inner Power: Self-Love, Core Circles, + Spiritual Wisdom](https://www.sidekickstrategies.com/blog/cultivating-a-healthy-relationship-with-ourselves-self-love) - [You're Only Human, Be Kind to Yourself on This Journey](https://www.sidekickstrategies.com/blog/you-are-only-human) - [Navigating the Starting Lines of Your Life + the Finish Line You Deserve](https://www.sidekickstrategies.com/blog/navigating-the-starting-lines-finish-line-you-deserve) ## Key facts - **Format:** Article - **Author:** George B. Thomas - **Published:** December 23, 2023 --- Source: https://www.sidekickstrategies.com/blog/holiday-fatigue-new-years-blues-seasonal-depression Sidekick Strategies · HubSpot consulting and content operations