As the seasons turn to fall, it seems inevitable that we start thinking about the holiday season. For some people, this is an exciting time filled with decorating and cooking fancy meals. For many people, it's a challenging time filled with family dynamics like split custody, separation from loved ones, or past memories of hurt or loss. Most people fall somewhere in the middle.

Why the Holidays Bring Up Winter Blues and Seasonal Stress

The holiday season also falls during the darkest time of the year, when mood can dip, the days are short, and it's dark by the time you head home from work. All of this can add up to lower mood and higher stress, a pattern many people recognize as the winter blues or seasonal stress.

If you struggle with feeling down during the holiday season, you are not alone. Many people even feel guilt about having these winter blues. With so much to be thankful for, we can feel guilty for wanting something different. Or we can feel regret about past situations or choices that led us to our current reality.

Even those who look forward to the holidays can be overwhelmed with stress and anxiety about getting everything done, making sure no one feels left out (an impossible task), and the extra financial strain that can come with this time of year.

What Gets Lost in the Holiday Rush

What often gets lost in the hustle and bustle of the holidays is the true meaning: a focus on gratitude and appreciation, of love and connection (even if that's with yourself), and slowing down to enjoy the moment that is, not the one you think you should be having.

I have struggled myself for years with a sense of holiday blues, or the feeling that something is missing in my life, or in myself, that would bring the joy I see depicted in holiday shows. It's easy to feel like you're broken or there's something wrong with you when all around you, you're being told to be having SO MUCH FUN from November through January (a season that, honestly, is best suited to being snuggled up in front of the fire). There are a lot of ways to celebrate the holidays, and that includes treating them like any other day. There's no wrong way to approach this season.

Join Me for Hypnosis for the Holidays

Because this issue is so near and dear to my heart, I'm hosting an online event this year: Hypnosis for the Holidays. We're getting this handled before Halloween, so you'll have plenty of time to apply the techniques and get centered before the holidays kick off.

During this 90 minute live online hypnosis event, we'll talk through common holiday triggers, family dynamics, stress, travel, and you'll experience a live hypnosis session tailored to our group. If you've been searching for holiday stress relief, seasonal depression support, or an online hypnosis event that actually meets you where you are this time of year, this is built for you.

Sunday, October 25, 2026 | 3:00 to 4:30 pm ET | Online via Zoom

$15 early registration (through October 8), $22 after

The hypnosis portion is recorded, and your camera can stay off.

Reserve your spot 

If you have any questions, or could use some one-to-one support in the meantime, feel free to schedule a free consultation to learn more about my modalities and how hypnosis can support you through the holiday season.

Wishing you a holiday season that feels happy for you.