Because of the intensified focus on family, work, and money, the holidays can be a stressful time for many people. Therefore, it is imperative that experts in the health field address issues like holiday stress and Americans find healthy ways to deal with holiday stress. Research shows that unhealthy behaviors people use to manage stress can contribute to some of the country’s biggest health problems such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
According to a survey done by the American Psychological Association (APA), 61% of Americans listed money as the number one stressor. Another 42% listed the pressure of gift giving as next, 34% lack of time, and lastly 23% listed credit card debt. Everyone responds to stress in some way, so the key is to handle stress in a way that it doesn’t make things worse.
The APA survey found that women are more likely than men to report heightened stress levels during the holiday season, and that they are less likely to take time to relax or manage that stress in healthy ways.
Here are some tips recommended by the APA for managing holiday stress:
- Define holiday stress
- Identify holiday stressors
- Recognize how you deal with stress
- Change one behavior at a time
- Ask for support
- Take care of yourself
Lastly, if you are experiencing stress because of the holidays, remain positive and utilize the tips listed above to deal with holiday stress and build resilience.
