Surviving Holiday Stress Together: Advice from an Orlando Sex Therapist
The holidays in Orlando can be beautiful — twinkling lights on palm trees, family gatherings, travel plans, and the pressure to “make everything magical.” But for many couples, this season brings a mix of joy, stress, and emotional overload. Between navigating family expectations, overwhelming schedules, and old triggers that tend to resurface this time of year, it’s easy for partners to feel disconnected right when they need each other the most.
As an Orlando sex therapist offering couples counseling in Orlando, I see this every year: good people with good intentions who simply get stretched too thin. The holidays magnify existing patterns and often expose the places where couples struggle with communication, boundaries, and emotional safety. The good news? With intention and teamwork, you can use this season to strengthen your connection rather than strain it.
Below are tools to help you stay grounded and supportive of one another while navigating the holiday whirlwind.
1. Create a Shared Holiday Plan (Before the Stress Hits)
Instead of letting the season sweep you away, sit down together and create a plan for the next few weeks.
Consider discussing:
What gatherings feel good to attend — and which ones feel draining
How much time you want to spend with each side of the family
Financial boundaries around gifts, travel, and events
Your shared “non-negotiables” for rest, alone time, intimacy, and downtime
This is where many couples get stuck: one partner tends to overextend, while the other withdraws or shuts down. A shared plan helps reduce resentment and prevents either person from feeling overwhelmed or abandoned.
2. Set Gentle, Loving Boundaries With Family
Holidays bring family joy… and family patterns.
Old dynamics, expectations, and pressure can trigger either partner — even if things seem fine on the surface.
Healthy boundaries might include:
Limiting how long you stay at events
Agreeing on topics you won’t engage in (politics, parenting, the past)
Taking breaks together during family gatherings
Protecting time for the two of you
Boundaries don’t have to be harsh or confrontational. Often they’re simply quiet internal agreements that help you stay connected and emotionally safe as a team.
3. Stay Curious When Stress Shows Up
Holiday stress often makes couples misinterpret each other.
Instead of assuming…
“You’re annoyed with me.”
“You don’t want to be here.”
“You’re not trying.”
Try asking:
“What’s happening for you right now?”
“What are you feeling underneath the stress?”
“How can I support you in this moment?”
Curiosity softens tension and helps your partner feel understood instead of judged.
4. Protect Your Couple Bubble
This is one of the most important foundations I teach in sex therapy and couples counseling: you are a unit, especially when the world is loud and demanding.
During the holidays, intentional connection helps you stay grounded in each other. Consider:
A nightly 10-minute check-in
Cuddling or holding hands before events
A dedicated date night every week
Reassurance, affection, or emotional anchoring when family dynamics get tough
Intimacy doesn’t have to be sexual to be meaningful. Emotional closeness, soft touches, shared eye contact, or short rituals of connection are incredibly grounding this time of year.
5. Leave Space for Joy, Play, and Rest
Not every moment needs to be productive or purposeful.
Let yourselves:
Laugh together
Skip an event you don’t feel up for
Eat dinner on the couch
Sleep in when you can
Let the holidays be simple instead of perfect
Your relationship deserves space to breathe — especially during a busy season.
Final Thoughts: You’re Allowed to Protect Your Peace
The holidays don’t have to pull you apart. With gentle boundaries, open communication, and intentional connection, this season can actually strengthen your relationship.
If you and your partner need support navigating stress, family dynamics, or intimacy challenges this season, I’m here to help.
As an Orlando sex therapist offering couples counseling and ketamine therapy in Orlando, I support couples in building connection, emotional safety, and deeper intimacy — all year long.
You don’t have to navigate this season alone. Reach out anytime if you’d like to schedule a session or talk about what support may look like for you.
Ready to learn more? Schedule a free consultation using the button below.
Author Bio:
Tori Ricci is a board certified sex therapist who specializes in helping individuals and couples navigate intimacy and relationship challenges. With a focus on compassion, education, and practical solutions, Tori aims to offer a safe, non-judgmental space for clients to explore and address their sexual health concerns.
