The holiday season is often associated with joy, celebration and togetherness. But for many people, this time of year can also bring heightened stress, loneliness and grief.

At Solstice we know that these experiences are not the exception — they are something we see every year during the December and January months.

We recently shared a Solstice holiday message on our social-media platforms: “The holidays aren’t joyful for everyone — and that’s OK.” That message reflects both lived experience and psychological research.

Studies consistently show that stress levels increase during the holiday period. Surveys from mental health organisations indicate that more than a third of adults report higher stress during the holidays, driven by factors such as financial pressure, family expectations, disrupted routines and social comparison.

While “holiday blues” is not a clinical diagnosis, it is a widely recognised psychological experience involving temporary increases in sadness, anxiety or emotional overwhelm.

What can be particularly confusing for people is not understanding why they feel this way during a time that appears happy for everyone else. There can be a sense that something is “wrong” with you when in fact these reactions are very human and very common.

Social media amplifies this confusion. Research shows that repeated exposure to curated images of celebration and success is linked to increased social comparison and feelings of isolation, particularly when someone’s internal experience doesn’t match what they are seeing.

That’s because social media shows highlight reels, not reality. It rarely shows the loneliness, grief, exhaustion, or quiet moments that many people are actually living through.

At Solstice, this often shows up in a few ways: new clients reaching out for support, students returning home from school who are not coping well and existing clients experiencing increased stress, anxiety, or emotional fatigue as the year comes to a close. Research also shows that people with pre-existing mental-health conditions frequently experience a worsening of symptoms during the holiday season.

Unfortunately, this emotional weight does not lift once the holidays end. January often brings its own pressures — a return to routine, financial hangovers from December spending, reduced daylight and a cultural push toward resolutions, self-improvement and “fresh starts”.

While the idea of “Blue Monday” — the third Monday in January often described as the most difficult day of the year — is not a formal clinical concept, it has become shorthand for something many people recognise: a dip in mood, motivation and energy as winter routines set in.

What we see in practice is not one single difficult day but a difficult stretch. January can feel emotionally flat or demanding, especially when people feel pressure to reset their lives, their bodies or their productivity, without having fully recovered from the end of the year.

This combination of post-holiday letdown and new year expectation can make existing stress feel sharper and can discourage people from seeking support if they believe they should already be “back on track”.

Seasonal changes can add another layer. Research into Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and seasonal mood variation shows that reduced daylight, disrupted sleep patterns and lower energy levels later in the year can affect emotional regulation. Even for those without SAD, this seasonal shift can make coping with holiday stress more difficult.

From a Bermudian perspective, Solstice also recognises the importance of place-based solutions, the intentional use of physical environment. Alongside traditional therapeutic support, research increasingly supports eco-therapy — the use of natural environments to support mental wellbeing — as a meaningful way to regulate stress and mood.

Living on an island gives us unique opportunities to do this. Access to the ocean, walking paths, fresh air and green space can have a powerful calming effect on the nervous system.

Solstice also encourages moments of gentle reflection and gratitude, which research shows can strengthen emotional resilience. Gratitude does not mean dismissing pain but creating space to acknowledge what is present — health, relationships, our environment, being alive — alongside whatever challenges we are facing.

As part of this focus on sustainable self-care, Solstice is introducing a new programme for 2026 called Rooted. It is designed to support people who want to care for their mental and physical wellbeing in a realistic, whole-person way, and integrates psychological support, behaviour change strategies, movement and nature-based practices.

Rooted is about helping people find their pace. Rather than pushing for drastic change, the programme focuses on building steady, supportive habits that help people feel more grounded, regulated and connected to themselves over time.

As one year ends and a new one begins, Solstice hopes the community remembers that there is no single way to experience the holidays — and no shame in needing support.

For those who find this season heavy, help is available during the holidays and beyond.

Reaching out is an act of care, not weakness. You don’t have to navigate this alone.

• For support or information about upcoming programmes, including Rooted, Solstice can be contacted at info@solstice.bm or on 292-3456