December 27, 2023. The holiday season is meant to be a joyous time, filled with celebrations among family and friends. However, for many, “the most wonderful time of the year” brings nothing but holiday anxiety and stress, as noted by the American Psychological Association. In particular, 41% of individuals find this period to be the most stressful time of the year. To help get you through the festive season, the organizational and well-being experts behind Mindletic, a digital mental health gym, have prepared this helpful guide on maintaining emotional balance during the holidays.
What makes the winter holidays so stressful?
There are several reasons why the holiday season is the most stressful time of the year for so many people. The most common reason, identified by the American Psychological Association, is financial concerns. About 58% of people feel anxious about spending too much or not having enough money to spend on decorations, food, and presents. This is followed by the pressure of finding the right gifts and creating special holiday experiences for everyone.
Some individuals may be dreading the complicated feelings and dynamics that arise from spending time with their family. For others, this may be their first holiday without a loved one, which can also bring out feelings of sadness and loneliness.
Newly sober individuals may also be anxious about holiday parties and festive events, where alcohol and social pressures are common, while burnt-out workers may overindulge in alcohol due to the demands and pressures that come with the end of the quarter. All these professional and personal pressures combined can lead to a heightened sense of stress and anxiety in December.
Preparing for a less-stress holiday season
Budget wisely
The stats don’t lie – most people feel stressed because this season is heavily associated with spending. While exchanging gifts with loved ones can be a wonderful thing to do, it can also strain your finances. “To alleviate some of this financial stress,” says Ieva Vaitkeviciute, co-founder and CEO of Mindletic, “consider agreeing on a spending budget with friends and family, or even decide not to exchange gifts at all. This could ease everyone’s stress, and help everyone focus on having a good time.” If this is not an option, try allocating a time slot to think about gifts in advance and order them online within your budget. This can prevent you from overspending at the last minute while running around in overcrowded shopping markets.
Establish boundaries
When things get intense, it’s important to establish boundaries in both personal and professional environments. “In a professional setting, you might need to reassess your tasks and communicate to your manager that you’re at capacity,” says Vaitkeviciute. “It’s okay to ask if some tasks could be postponed to next year or delegated to another team member.” You may also need to create some boundaries in your personal life, especially with people who drain your energy and add to your stress levels. It’s completely normal to tell someone, “I’m sorry, I’m not available for this right now.”
Re-prioritize your work tasks
While it may be challenging to let go of certain tasks in the final quarter, you can still arrange a meeting with your manager to discuss your priorities. “Some of the tasks you’re currently handling might be redundant or not as important,” suggests Vaitkeviciute. “Postponing them until January or letting go of them altogether may enable you to do your best work on the tasks that bring the biggest impact to the company.”
Don’t forget your healthy habits
According to research, two out of five adults experiencing holiday stress resort to unhealthy coping behaviors, such as isolation, changing their eating habits through overeating or restricting, or turning to substances like alcohol or nicotine to feel better. While we’re all human and occasional indulgence is understandable, these coping mechanisms can derail your health and well-being during an already stressful period. To avoid this, prioritize self-care and, most importantly, do not forget your good habits, such as exercise, meditation, walks in nature, or time spent with your loved ones. These activities help alleviate stress in a healthier way.
Check in with yourself
The holiday season may bring out many different emotions, so it’s important to regularly assess how you’re feeling and address any unpleasant emotions before they become overwhelming. “Suppressing your emotions and bulldozing through work tasks may lead to increased stress and health issues,” Vaitkeviciute says. “Keep in mind that the human immune system is already weaker during the cold months. The Mindletic app can assist in recognizing and accepting emotions, whether they are joy, sadness, or a combination of complex feelings.”
Pulling it All Together
If you’re feeling anxious during the holidays, know that you’re not alone; it’s normal to feel this way during a very busy time. That said, if your anxiety becomes extreme and interferes with your enjoyment of the season, it might be beneficial to speak to a mental health professional. There’s a wide selection of therapists available on the Mindletic app to provide the support and guidance you may need. Out-of-control anxiety can easily ruin your holiday spirit, but it is also possible to overcome it.
About Mindletic:
Mindletic is a digital mental health gym co-created with certified psychologists and mental health organizations. The company specializes in providing tailored mental training programs designed to meet the unique needs of businesses, enhancing employee well-being, boosting emotional resilience, and mitigating unproductive behavioral patterns. Its science-backed solutions help organizations save time and costs associated with burnout and destructive behaviors, and also empower individuals to manage their emotional reactions more constructively. Mindletic is a business partner in creating healthier, more productive workplaces through proactive mental health support.