The festive holiday season is typically seen as a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. However, it can also be a time of stress, anxiety, and depression for many people.
In this article, we will discuss what festive holiday stress is, its causes, signs to look out for, and ways to manage it.
What is festive holiday stress?
Festive holiday stress is stress that occurs during the holiday season, which can refer to the period around Deepavali, Christmas, New Year, and Chinese New Year.
During this time of year, people are getting ready for a time that can involve a lot of plans, preparations, travel, extra spending, and tension among family members. While we hope you enjoy a wonderful time with loved ones over the next few months, it’s helpful to be prepared for stressful times should they arise.
Causes of festive holiday stress
There are several causes of festive holiday stress, including:
- Financial strain: The pressure to buy gifts, decorations, food, and holiday travel can cause financial stress, especially for those who are struggling financially.
- Family conflict: Challenging dynamics can cause friction between loved ones and cast a shadow over otherwise happy gatherings. Even joyous family gatherings can add stress by creating more work for those who are hosting relatives or traveling out of town. Ongoing tension between family members can be amplified during festive periods.
- Unrealistic expectations: Many people associate the holidays with social gatherings, rituals, and happy memories. These expectations can lead to stress, especially when trying to make every meal award-worthy, every interaction positive, and every wrapped gift look perfect.
- Gift giving: The pressure to find the perfect gift for loved ones can be overwhelming, particularly when trying to stay within a budget.
Festive stress manifests like other forms of stress. Here are a few of the most common signs or symptoms:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Tense muscles
- Jaw clenching
- Anxiety
- Sadness
- Headaches
- Body aches
- Inability to sleep
- Irritability
Ways to manage festive holiday stress
- Plan ahead: Make a list of everything you need to do and prioritise the most important tasks. This can help make holiday to-do lists and travel arrangements more manageable.
- Set realistic expectations: Be realistic about what you can and cannot do, especially when it comes to making commitments. If you can, avoid spreading yourself too thin by agreeing to every request; and, if you’re unable to attend a gathering or event, set your boundaries early and clearly. People might be disappointed, but sometimes, we need to let people have their diappointment.
- Take care of yourself: Engage in appropriate and effective self-care, such as getting enough sleep, eating balanced meals, and having sufficient downtime. Festive periods can come with a high expectation of being sociable and “always on.” If you feel drained by too much socialising, try as best you can to find time for yourself away from all the busyness.
- Seek support: Talk to a trusted friend or family member if you’re feeling pressured or overwhelmed. And remember that it’s perfectly fine to feel however you’re feeling. You might think, “I shouldn’t feel this way”, but the reality is that feelings show up irrespective of “should/shouldn’t” and there’s often a good reason that they arise at a particular point of time.
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