If the holiday season leaves you feeling stressed rather than relaxed, you’re not alone. A 2023 poll by the American Psychological Association found that nearly nine in 10 Americans worry in the run-up to, and during this time of year. They cited things like not having enough money, missing loved ones and anticipating family conflict as reasons for some mild anxiety.
49% of adults described November to January stress levels as “moderate”. But 43% said that holiday stress is so bad that it actually interferes with their ability to enjoy themselves during the festive season.
Not too surprisingly, money worries topped the list of stressors during the holiday season, with 58% of U.S. adults saying that spending too much or not having enough money to spend causes them stress. Second on the list was finding the right gifts for family and friends. 38% of those polled said missing family or loved ones stresses them out the most.
The survey found that households with a lower income (less than $50,000 a year) were more prone to stress, which makes sense given that financial concerns were the top culprit for causing sleepless nights. “At this hectic time of year, it is important that people take care of their mental health, especially in communities whose members feel disproportionately burdened or excluded from what is traditionally considered the holiday season,” said APA’s chief executive officer, Arthur C. Evans Jr in a press release.
