Better Ways to Manage Your Holiday Stress

"Have you ever been stressed about being stressed? Well, that's the gift I give myself every December. In an effort to create the perfect holiday memories for my family, I fall into the same trap: I plan multiple projects and then stress about all of them (as well as the fact that I'm stressed). What if I'm the one ruining the season for my family?"

"It turns out, I'm not alone. A national report from C.S. Mott Children's Hospital found that, in 2021, as many as one in six parents reported elevated levels of stress during the holidays, with mothers reporting nearly twice the rate of fathers (Clark et al., 2021). Neuroscientists studying how seasonal demands affect our brains help us understand this intensity. The prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for organizing and executing tasks, goes into "overdrive" as responsibilities increase. Prolonged stress can even reduce memory and slow new brain cell production (Edwards, 2016), making post-holiday rest and balance an essential priority."

Up to one in six parents report elevated holiday stress, with mothers nearly twice as likely as fathers to report it. The prefrontal cortex becomes overworked under increased seasonal responsibilities, and prolonged stress can reduce memory and slow new brain cell production. Nearly one in three families report heightened stress from financial pressures tied to gifts, travel, childcare, and food. Cultural norms and sales events amplify spending expectations. Rituals and traditions reliably buffer stress and increase joy more than spending or perfect planning. Post-holiday rest and balanced recovery are important but can be disrupted by lingering financial strain.

Read at Psychology Today