An Unconventional Way to Handle Stress During Winter

The season of giving is upon us, and for a near majority of adults, this means an increase in daily stress. If you’re feeling more anxious, on edge, or all-around overwhelmed, you’re not alone. The American Psychiatric Association recently found that 41% of adults report their stress levels increase during the holidays.

What’s the cause of this stress? Some cite financial issues, like not having enough money to cover holiday expenses; others cite loneliness, like not having loved ones to spend time with or feeling ostracized/anxious spending time with the family they do have.

If you’re feeling similar, have you considered turning to man’s best friend?

During the holiday season, animal shelters feel the brunt of the seasonal stress, too. In many places in the nation, it’s colder outside, so there are more animals looking for warmth that may find their way to a shelter, thus filling the kennels to capacity. With fuller kennels, there’s a greater need for food, blankets, healthcare and quality time, but only so many staff members and volunteers to go around.

Volunteering at a nearby animal shelter might brighten your spirit in more ways than one.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, both dogs and cats as pets have an overwhelming positive impact on their owners’ mental health. Respondents asserted that pets:

Help reduce stress and anxiety (69%)

Provide unconditional love and support (69%)

Offer companionship (69%)

Provide a calming presence (66%)

Are true supportive friends (63%)

You may not have the time, resources or the lifestyle for a full-time pet, but there are other ways to interact with animals at the shelter for mutual benefits! You might consider:

Walking. You’re not the only one who feels anxiety in uncomfortable situations; full shelters can make dogs and cats feel on edge, too. Taking a dog out of a noisy shelter for only 30 minutes can help them relax, stretch their legs and let their personality shine through.

Petting or spending time with them. Cats don’t need walks often, but they do need companionship. Similar to dog walking, your local shelter may have a need for “cat cuddlers.”

Donating food, supplies or toys. If you’re short on time but have the financial bandwidth, donating anything on an animal shelter’s wish list near the holidays is a meaningful gift that keeps on giving. It also makes you feel like part of a community when you help an organization in need.

Offering special skills. Maybe you’re great at graphic design, social media, or photography; maybe you’re a numbers whiz and enjoy accounting. Consider pitching your unique skills to your local shelter to discover if they have a need for a volunteer to help during the busy season.

Fostering. Home for the holidays alone? Consider fostering over Thanksgiving or Christmas to have a companion. This also gives the dog or cat you choose an opportunity to acclimate themselves to life outside the shelter. You never know, you might just find your new best friend!

“Even a Joyous Holiday Season Can Cause Stress for Most Americans,” American Psychological Association, apa.org, Accessed October 20, 2025.

“Americans Note Overwhelming Positive Mental Health Impact of Their Pets,” American Psychiatric Association, psychiatry.org, Accessed October 20, 2025.