When you’re a teen, holiday stress management isn’t usually the top concern of the season. But should it be? 

If you’re struggling to enjoy the holidays due to anxiety, fatigue, irritability, or other mental or physical symptoms of stress, you’re not alone. This can be a super stressful time for everyone, teens included. With so many things to potentially feel stressed about (buying presents, eating big meals with family, making small talk with great uncles you only see once a year), it’s a good idea to prep ahead of time. 

The Ridge RTC provides residential mental health services for teens at our Maine and New Hampshire facilities. Below, we’re sharing our three best holiday coping skills for adolescents with simple strategies you can do this season (and beyond) to feel better and stress less. 

3 Holiday Coping Skills Teens Should Master

1. Get Good Sleep

The holiday break is just that—a break. While a break from the normal pressures of life is great for relaxing and having fun, it’s not always ideal for our mental health. Prioritizing good sleep is an easy way to bring a little structure and stability back to your days and will put you in a better mindset for handling holiday stressors. 

2. Limit Social Media Time

We know it’s exceptionally hard to limit social media use during downtime. That being said, one of the very first things we teach teens about how to cope with holiday stress is to start scrolling less. Limit yourself to two hours or less per day, and spend the rest of the time engaged in more fulfilling activities like reading, watching holiday movies, or hanging out with friends and family. 

3. Stay Social

It might sound tempting to chill alone in your room until school starts again, but isolation is a recipe for stress and sadness. You have more free time during the holidays (yay!), so make a point of spending time with the people who make you the happiest. Bonus points if you enjoy some fresh air while you do it. 

How to Cope with Holiday Stress: Teen Treatment During the Holidays

We all face the potential for increased stress during the holidays. If you’re already struggling with your mental health, though, holiday stress can really heighten your symptoms, leading to even more stress and an all-around challenging time. 

Fortunately, professional help is always available, regardless of the time of year. Teens can and should start treatment during the holidays if it’s necessary, with plenty of options ranging from one-on-one counseling to residential treatment centers like the Ridge RTC. The right adolescent mental health program can make a huge difference in a teen’s ability to handle stress alongside a condition like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Explore our website for more information on teen holiday stress management and advice for handling all of life’s tricky situations, and please contact us directly to inquire about The Ridge RTC adolescent treatment programs.