Strategies for Managing Holiday Stress and Anxiety

This article is from the December 2024 issue.

Do you love the holiday season? Do you count down in anticipation of all things holiday? If you don’t, it’s okay. You are not alone. Although the holiday season can be a wonderful time for some, it doesn’t require a stretch of the imagination to understand how it might not be so for everyone. When you consider the financial strain that some feel during this time of year, the endless list of things to do, family drama, the pressure of trying to eat healthy meals as enormous amounts of cakes, pies, and all manner of sweets abound, not to mention the loneliness that some may experience as they remember loved ones who are no longer with them─  it’s enough to cause many to feel stressed and overwhelmed. Because so many of us experience stress during the holidays, we can empathize with those who aren’t thrilled when this time of year comes. 

According to a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association last year:

  • 89% of Americans feel stressed during the holidays. 
  • 41% report increased stress levels during the holidays. A sizable portion of people experience heightened stress during the holiday season compared to other times of the year. 
  • 43% said that the stress of the holidays interferes with their ability to enjoy them. While stress appears to be common at this time of year, it makes it difficult to relax and enjoy the season.
  • There is a mental health impact. Holiday stress can contribute to anxiety, depression, and physical illness. 

So, what do we do? Are we doomed to just suffer through the stress that comes with the season? Is there anything we can do to reduce at least some of the stress, or must we just “suck it up?” No, we do not have to endure or suck it up. Although we may not be able to eliminate all stress, there are healthy ways to manage it so that it doesn’t take over our lives. This article offers ten strategies to consider employing to help cope with holiday stress. Three of the suggestions ─setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and asking for help─ resonates most for me. Find what works for you and do it. The article concludes that “the holidays don’t have to feel like a burden. Stress may be a given at this time of year, but it shouldn’t consume your life.” 

RESOURCES

  • Call or Text 988 for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline  (English and Spanish)
  • Text “HOME” to the  Crisis Text Line  at 741741
  • Chat at 988lifeline.org
  • TTY users use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988. Note: The 988 line automatically routes calls by your phone’s area code to the nearest crisis center.
  • Warmline Directory (US) [See the Library Worklife article about warm lines.]
  • Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Mental Health Resources (Extensive list of resources for various concerns and diverse groups.)
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