The holiday season is a happy time each year, and it is always great to catch up with loved ones. However, the holidays do not happen on their own, and the entire production can take a lot of work, time, and money. Accordingly, for many people, the holidays can be a significant source of stress.
For some people, holiday stress comes on top of difficult mental health conditions that people may already struggle to manage. The combined impact of holiday stress and symptoms of their mental health conditions can be extremely difficult to handle and may even lead to holiday depression. Also, this year, the holiday season occurs with the added stress and uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the post below, we discuss the topic of stress during the holiday season. Specifically, we cover key sources of holiday stress and the consequences of that stress, and we share ways that people can manage holiday-induced stress. For cases when people are unable to self-manage their stress, we detail available behavioral health treatment programs.
Origins of stress during the holiday season
People who experience stress during the holiday season should know that holiday stress is normal. While many times, people do not talk about holiday stress openly, many people experience it and can empathize with people who may be overwhelmed.
Often, some of the largest holiday stress sources are the most common events of the holiday season. These possible sources of stress include:
- Holiday meals: A large holiday meal is an integral part of the season. However, holiday meals involve a lot of planning. Hosts need to prepare multiple dishes, coordinate invitations, and provide a welcoming environment for their guests. Also, guest lists can grow quickly and soon leave a host feeling overwhelmed.
- Gift shopping: Gift shopping can be a frantic activity that sometimes results in more stress than enjoyment. Shopping malls are packed, online deliveries may experience delays, and people may spend a lot of time selecting gifts for loved ones. Also, the cost of holiday gifts can add up quickly, and gift shopping can be a source of financial stress.
- Family visits: Seeing family is important, but it can also be challenging. Often, seeing family involves traveling, which can be stressful for families with kids. When families get together for several days, there can be a lot of disruption to each family member’s daily routines. Also, some family members may have ongoing disputes, and seeing certain family members may be difficult.
It is OK for people to feel stress from normal holiday events, and people need to know that holiday events can be enjoyable yet still cause stress. If holiday events cause a person stress, they should know that other people are likely feeling that same stress.
Additionally, the above sources of stress this year are occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic. This reality is particularly important as it relates to exposure to the virus. People may become stressed from worrying about their health and the health of loved ones during travel, family gatherings, and time spent in large groups. Also, some people may feel stress due to the impact of canceling holiday plans and spending the holidays alone.
Ways to deal with holiday stress
People who experience stress from the holidays can take a variety of actions to address their stress. Stress does not have to be an ongoing part of the holiday season, and people can improve how they manage stress in a few simple ways. When a person does not take action to manage holiday stress, their stress can lead to a range of mental health issues, including depression during the holidays. Ways to deal with holiday stress include:
- Setting a holiday budget. A lot of holiday stress can originate from financial worries. People may strive to make their friends and family have an enjoyable holiday experience, and holiday activities can quickly take a toll on people’s bank accounts. Setting a budget can help people enjoy the holidays responsibly and prevent any unnecessary costs.
- Learning when to say “no” during the holidays. Everyone has their limits, and people can feel overwhelmed quickly if they take on too much. One key way of managing holiday stress is learning when to say “no” and not overcommitting oneself. This method can extend to saying no to outings with relatives when people are tired or saying no to alcohol at dinner when the next day has a demanding schedule.
- Taking a moment for yourself. Remember that the holidays are also a time for you to enjoy! In many situations, when people feel holiday anxiety and stress, they forget about their own needs while trying to be hospitable to others. Taking time for yourself can help ensure your mental well-being and make the holiday season more enjoyable.
- Simplifying holiday plans. This tip is useful for reducing stress every year. Complex holiday plans with a lot of guests and events can be overwhelming. Also, this year, simplifying holiday plans may be necessary for reducing exposure to COVID-19. This year, people may want to consider canceling holiday travel plans and limiting the number of guests in their households.
Taking the above actions can help people manage their holiday stress considerably. The holidays do not have to be a flurry of activity, and keeping things simple can help people focus on building lasting, enjoyable memories this season.
Behavioral health treatment programs for people who experience stress
Sometimes, the above at-home methods for stress management may be ineffective. People may be experiencing extreme stress even before the holidays, and stress from holiday events may be too much to handle. Additional stress from COVID-19 can make an already difficult situation completely overwhelming.
In such cases, enrolling in a behavioral health treatment program may be appropriate for a person who experiences extreme stress. Stress can lead to feelings of inadequacy, loneliness, hopelessness, and fear, and these effects can have significant ramifications regarding the person’s holiday mental health. In a clinical treatment program, behavioral health professionals can help individuals recognize behavioral patterns that result in stress and learn how to change those patterns.
Our clinical team at Reno Behavioral Healthcare Hospital offers a variety of stress and anxiety treatment programs. Programs include adult inpatient programs and adult outpatient services. We also provide residential treatment for adolescents, and each treatment program follows trauma-informed care best practices.
Getting started at Reno Behavioral Healthcare Hospital
We understand that stress and anxiety can reduce a person’s quality of life significantly, and we know that the holidays can be an incredibly stressful time. To learn more about our treatment programs, contact us online or call our staff directly at (775) 393-2201. A member of our team can help answer any questions you may have and schedule a free mental health assessment for you or a loved one.