Society. Holiday anxiety: when Christmas worries more than it delights

Shop windows light up, adverts show cheerful tables and families together. For some it is their favourite time of year. For others, the approach of the holidays brings a knot in the stomach, restless nights and the wish to "skip" straight to January. The gap between what you are supposed to feel and what you actually feel is itself a source of unease.

What makes the holidays hard

There are many reasons. Family reunions sometimes rekindle old conflicts, rivalries and things left unsaid. Expectations are high: everything should be perfect, the meal, the presents, the atmosphere. Money is a strain for many households. And the absence of a loved one who has died, a child living far away or a partner one has separated from is felt more strongly than usual.

Loneliness, too, takes on a different colour in December. According to the Fondation de France "Solitudes" study published in January 2026, 24% of French people say they feel lonely, and 32% are objectively isolated, with few relationships in their family, friends, work or neighbourhood.

There is no "right" way to spend the holidays.

Loosening the grip

Lowering your expectations is often a relief: a simple meal, modest presents, a shorter evening. You are also allowed to decline an invitation, leave early or plan a break during the day. Planning these moments in advance helps you feel less trapped.

For those who will be alone, preparing the day makes a big difference: calling someone, going for a walk, volunteering or joining a community dinner, treating yourself to something pleasant rather than enduring the date. When anxiety rises, a few minutes of slow breathing can bring the pressure down; the website's "Breathe now" exercise is there for that.

When the worry goes beyond the holidays

If the anxiety is there well before December and persists after January, if it comes with sadness, tiredness or sleep problems, it deserves to be taken seriously. The holidays often simply reveal a distress that was already there. Talking about it helps to understand what is replayed at this time of year, often linked to family history.

This article is for information only. It replaces neither a consultation nor a diagnosis, which is a doctor's role.