As the days get shorter and the calendar fills with holiday plans, many people across Chicago’s North Shore notice their mood shifting. Maybe you feel more tired, more irritable, or simply less like yourself. You are not alone, and you don’t have to push through it on your own. Here’s how to tell ordinary holiday stress from something more, and what can help.

Holiday stress vs. seasonal depression

Some stress this time of year is normal: busy schedules, travel, family dynamics, and money pressures can wear anyone down. Seasonal depression (often called seasonal affective disorder, or SAD) is different. It tends to return around the same time each year as daylight drops, and it lasts for weeks rather than days. Common signs include:

• Low mood most of the day, nearly every day
• Losing interest in things you usually enjoy
• Sleeping much more than usual, or feeling exhausted no matter how much you rest
• Craving carbohydrates or noticing changes in appetite or weight
• Pulling away from friends and family
• Trouble concentrating at work or school
• Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness (if you have any thoughts of self-harm, call or text 988 right away)

Why the holidays can feel harder

The season brings a unique mix of pressures. Expectations to feel joyful can make sadness feel isolating. Grief often feels sharper around holidays, especially the first year after a loss. Changes in routine, less sunlight, more alcohol, and less sleep can all affect mood. For teens and college students coming home for break, the shift back into family life can bring its own stress.

Practical ways to cope this season

• Get daylight early. A morning walk, even on a cloudy North Shore day, helps regulate sleep and mood.
• Protect your routine. Keep consistent sleep and meal times as much as possible.
• Set gentle boundaries. It’s okay to say no to some events or to leave early.
• Make room for grief. Light a candle, share a memory, or plan a quiet moment for someone you miss.
• Move your body. Short, regular activity is often more helpful than occasional intense workouts.
• Stay connected. Plan a few low-pressure check-ins with people who feel supportive.
• Go easy on alcohol. It can worsen sleep and low mood.

When to reach out for support

If low mood, anxiety, or exhaustion lasts more than two weeks, or starts affecting work, school, relationships, or daily life, it’s a good time to talk with a professional. Therapy approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are well established for both depression and seasonal patterns, and a therapist can help you build a plan that fits your life. For some people, a medication evaluation with a psychiatric provider is also helpful.

At Inspire Counseling Center, our licensed therapists work with adults, teens, couples, and families in Northbrook, Evanston, and Kenilworth, with telehealth available anywhere in Illinois. Not sure where to start? Our team can match you with a therapist who fits your needs, so this season can feel a little lighter.