LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Christmas is expected to be the happiest time of year. However, as many know, holidays can bring loads of stress because of the expectations surrounding this time of year.
Even the most joyous of holiday seasons can cause stress, and it’s important to know how to cope with the pressures of the season.
The most common stressors are not having enough money, missing loved ones, and anticipating family conflict during gatherings.
According to a local therapist though, there are ways to ensure stress isn't the highlight of the holidays.
“It's supposed to be the most joyous time of the year, but the reality is that it's stressful,” said therapist Natasha Thorne.
Gifts, having money for presents, and attending family gatherings each have expectations tied to them during this time of year. According to the American Psychological Association, 89% of people feel this way.
Thorne said that seeing family in this post-COVID era can be hard to navigate.
“Especially when you haven’t seen the family members in a long time and when there's just so much going on around you, it can be overwhelming,” Thorne said.
On top of this, wanting those same family members to have presents can cause stress too.
“That has always been a thing, wanting to make it a perfect Christmas,” Thorne said. “The financial strain may be a little bit harder this year for various reasons.”
Thorne's biggest piece of advice was to try and avoid overspending.
“Do not go into debt to make this a perfect holiday and keep in mind that the holiday is more than gifts,” Thorne advised.
Instead, get creative, stick to what you know, and focus on celebrating together.
“Try leaning into more of the family aspect by doing the homemade gifts or, finding ways to do things that you can't necessarily buy in the store,” Thorne said.
Thorne pointed to another hard reality of the holidays— missing loved ones who have passed away.
“You have the hustle and bustle of the holidays, family, affording presents, but also on the flip side of that, there are people who've lost important people,” Thorne added.
While there's not a single way to fix that sort of pain, leaning on a support system and asking for help when needed can play a significant role.
“Grief is such an individualized thing, it hits everybody differently,” Thorne described. “There's no cookie-cutter approach. So, embrace being okay with getting the help that you need.”
In working to manage holiday stress, the American Psychological Association suggested practicing mindfulness and meditation, saying no when it works best, taking frequent breaks, and taking time to get some fresh air and sunlight.
Whether it's dealing with grief or managing the laundry list of holiday expectations, Thorne advised not overfilling the to-do list.
“Do what you can without overextending yourself,” Thorne said.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a tool Thorne also encouraged people to use if needed.