It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It’s December! Everywhere you look there are sparkles, tasty holiday cookies, carols blaring over the loudspeakers of every public space. But there is also a sudden increase in commitments. There’s a lot to juggle, whether it’s attending end-of-the-year work events, planning travel, or fitting gifts into the budget. It’s no secret that many Americans struggle to manage holiday stress levels during this time of the year. 

Holiday Stress is a paradox. On the surface, the holidays should be a time of joy and excitement. But it oftentimes becomes exactly the opposite of that. While numerous factors contribute to this sudden increase in stress, there are a couple of common threads that emerge. 

What Causes Holiday Stress?

In a survey released in December 2023, 69% of the 1,000 adults surveyed stated that the holiday season is more stressful to them than tax season. In the study, several throughlines quickly emerged. With schedules being more jam-packed, it becomes harder to prioritize healthy habits such as regular exercise and maintaining your diet. Many people get so focused on creating special experiences for loved ones that they forget to take care of themselves.

Several individual reasons can lead to holiday stress, including financial strains, unrealistic expectations of creating a “special holiday experience,” travel issues and stresses, and the re-emergence of grief and loss that can be triggered by events during this season.

Some Tips on Managing Holiday Stress

While there are some heightened aspects of the holiday season that may be unavoidable such as travel or a fuller schedule, there are ways to manage the more stressful times before they cause additional problems.

1. Set Realistic Expectations

When surveyed, a common thread among adults is the setting of unrealistic expectations for the holiday season. Creating an Instagram-worthy Christmas celebration shouldn’t be the ultimate goal. It should be enjoying the time spent with loved ones, even if there are a few lingering dust bunnies in the living room. To set those expectations, make yourself realistic goals and track them. What is a realistic option for a Christmas Day dinner for you? If you’re trying to create gifts for loved ones, is that possible in the time you have before the holiday or is a better option to source meaningful gifts, even if they are missing the homemade touch? Asking yourself these questions and answering them with honesty can help you set realistic, obtainable expectations during the season.

2. Don’t Overschedule Yourself

This is often easier said than done. After all, holiday parties are fun! They are a great break from the monotony of a regular week during the year. Before you say yes to every invite, book tickets for every event, and commit to hosting Christmas events at your home, consider what are the ones that you really want to be part of. Asking yourself what are the events that enhance the season or won’t cause the extra anxiety are the ones to commit to first. If you struggle with overscheduling, block off specific times that are for family or personal time. Including those blocks in your day can help avoid accidental overscheduling.

3. Simplify Travel Time

Among the areas that people said were the most stress-inducing were travel. If you can, consider direct flights to family gatherings or limit stops along the way if you are driving to family gatherings. In addition, consider limiting driving time to events. This point goes in tandem with overscheduling yourself.

4. Be responsible about food and drink consumption

The holiday season means the arrival of a plethora of sweets and fancy drinks. They look amazing but don’t let their pretty exteriors fool you- an excess of either can lead to unpleasant withdrawal effects later and potential weight gain. It’s ok to enjoy the occasional cookie or holiday drink, but avoid it in excess as much as you are able.

Join the Movement

At Solidarity HealthShare, we are committed to providing our Members with the care and support they need for each season of the year and of their lives. From wellness visits to unlimited mental health counseling services, our Members can rest assured that their individual needs will be held through our comprehensive care options. We also offer a Solidarity Well program to new members who are working toward health goals with the help of a personalized plan to meet their needs and a coach to guide them along the way. Click the banner below to learn more!