HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The holiday season is supposed to be a festive time, but for some, it can be the opposite, with stress taking over some.
"Highly often, that I tend to see clients who are dealing with, you know, stress and anxiety around the holiday season," said Cheneka Brown, a local counselor.
There are multiple reasons why someone could be stressed during the holidays, from having to buy gifts to having to attend family events that could be challenging.
The election, while over a month in the past, was a worry for 23% of people in a recent survey by the American Psychiatric Assocation asking people about holiday stressors.
If you are looking for ways to see if someone might be stressed during the holidays, its fairly simple.
"You'll see major changes in their behavior, such as irritability, fluctuations in mood," stated Monretta Vega, owner of Huntsville Psychotherapy and Counseling Services. "You may even see changes as far as sleep, energy levels and appetite. When stress starts to impact us, we can be physically and mentally impacted."
If you do start to feel stressed or notice someone who might be, here are some simple tips from Brown. "Working out with your family, playing games. And during that time, if you like to have family time, you can also, reflect on grief as well."
For those who might not enjoy attending every holiday event, Vega says you don't need to force yourself to do so. "Prioritize your tasks. Don't feel like you have to attend every holiday party, every event. What are some things that you feel will also fill up your bucket without depleting you mentally and emotionally?"
Wellness Wednesday: Holiday Stress during the festive time of year
At least one in four people are expected to experience stress from a holiday-related event.
