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During this holiday season, typically full of joy and giving, many people are feeling emotions that are quite the opposite. The current economic situation in America has made the Christmas season a lot less jolly. Already busy schedules are multiplied with planning office parties no one wants to attend, uncomfortable family dinners, and all that gift giving, expected and anticipated. Of course, all this entails spending copious amounts of money which no one seems to have in their bank accounts.
The American Psychological Association’s executive director for professional practice Katherine Nordal stated,” The holiday season can bring with it emotional and financial stressors that can negatively impact both physical and mental health.” Unfortunately, this is also being seen as a concern among children. According to the APA, children are nearly two times more likely to worry about financial concerns than their parents realize.
A survey by the American Psychological Association in 2009 points out that seven out of every ten Americans confirmed that money is the main source of their stress. Then, the following two stress factors are their jobs and the economy.
“Holidays are very stressful this year due to the economic situation in America” says Shawn Hammond, a college student in the Greenwood area. Hammond not only has to keep up with his daily finances, he also has to spend money on travel to visit his family during the holidays. Shawn’s not the only one, a lot of college students experience this same type of stress during the holiday season, on top of the usual cramming for end-of-semester exams.
The APA gives a list of strategies to use during the holiday season to help reduce stress:
- Take time for yourself.
- Volunteer at a local charity.
- Set realistic expectations.
- Remember the important things in life.
- Seek support from people close to you.
Admittedly, while the holidays can be stressful, it is important to remember to work at staying as stress-free as possible. One way to alleviate some of the holiday stress is to set your mind on all the good, instead of all the bad, ditch the guilt that certain things are expected of you and, with a little luck, the holidays will be much more enjoyable for you and your loved ones.
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