A Cure for Holiday Stress

Take care of yourself. But if you love your neighbor as well, you will both be changed.

Boy, the holidays can be a stressful time! Nearly nine in 10 (89%) U.S. adults say that concerns such as not having enough money, missing loved ones and anticipating family conflict cause them stress at this time of year. Let’s face it: Even the most joy-filled of us can become a little overwhelmed. Simply checking everyone off the gift list is daunting (and expensive). Add to that all the holiday events and obligations. I was selfishly not terribly upset when the downtown Christmas parade initially was canceled this year. I love helping First Baptist Church make and hand out hot chocolate to parade goers, but a cold, drizzling rain doesn’t put me in the Christmas mood.

Back in 2019, the New York Times reported that Americans were among the most stressed people in the world. This was before the pandemic! Feelings of worry, sadness, anger, and even physical pain contributed to that stress. Positive experiences were measured by asking whether individuals felt well-rested, felt treated with respect, smiled or laughed, learned or did something interesting and felt enjoyment. And though Americans did (and do) have positive experiences, the negative experiences hit record highs.

Why were Americans in 2019 so negative? And how do we enhance positive experiences and minimize negative ones, especially around the holidays?

Though politics probably contributed, it certainly wasn’t the sole reason. One important factor is whether or not we feel in control of our circumstances. And in the Covid pandemic years, control was exactly what we all felt was missing. Commenting on the growing anxiety Americans were experiencing in 2022, US News and World Report noted inflation, mass shootings, wars, the pandemic, and the insurrection left us feeling like so many things had spiraled out of control and that those charged with addressing them couldn't – or wouldn’t – fix them. Add social media and ongoing apocalyptic news coverage and no wonder most Americans feel anxious.

Yes, everyone feels anxious at some point. But ongoing, persistent anxiety can be debilitating, even necessitating treatment. WebMD, an information website, succinctly states, “Worrying is feeling uneasy or being overly concerned about a situation or problem. With excessive worrying, your mind and body go into overdrive as you constantly focus on ‘what might happen’.” Further, “Chronic worrying can affect your daily life so much that it may interfere with your appetite, lifestyle habits, relationships, sleep, and job performance. Many people who worry excessively are so anxiety-ridden that they seek relief in harmful lifestyle habits such as overeating, cigarette smoking, or using alcohol and drugs.” In other words, excessive worrying has consequences.

Thankfully, there are many common sense interventions that can help reduce stress. First, try disconnecting from the things that cause stress! (Hello, “news” channels and social media?) Make time for yourself, even if it is simply going for a walk. For those craving more, aerobic exercise, especially high intensity interval training, is effective in anxiety disorders. Try not to overeat or drink excessively. Limit caffeine intake. Learn to relax! For me, playing the piano, reading on my screened porch, or walking the dogs can take the focus off my worries. Find what works for you.

Oh, and it’s not all about you.

You know what else takes my mind off my own worries? Volunteering – loving your neighbor as yourself – helps more than just yourself. That could take an active form like ringing the bell for the Salvation Army kettle drive, helping with Second Sacks, or decorating trees at the Museum of East Texas. Or it could be as simple as donating clothes to Goodwill or having a donation deducted from your paycheck for United Way. Angelina Thrive, a nonprofit collective impact organization, has information on 66 local nonprofits in Angelina County, any of which would love to have your support and involvement. Check out angelinathrive.org for more information.

And how could we talk about worry around the holidays without redirecting our focus to the true reason for the holiday season? This is, after all, the season of Advent – the time of preparation for the birth of Jesus. One week of Advent is devoted to hope. Hope can be a difficult concept – nebulous, aspirational, and in secular usage prone to selfish desire or wishful thinking. Yet in Psalm 71 hope is given life, an identity, a name. The psalmist confesses: YOU, Sovereign Lord, are and always have been my hope.[18] And not only is God our hope, Psalm 71 expounds on what we hope FOR in God: He is our refuge, our rescuer and deliverer, our rock and fortress, our confidence, our helper and protector, righteous, mighty, our restorer and comforter, and the object of our praise. Wow!

In this holiday season when we are prone to stress and worry, let’s take care of ourselves, mentally and physically for sure, but also spiritually. Whatever our spiritual background or motivation may be, may we not forget to love our neighbors as ourselves and help relieve the stress and worry of others. We will all be changed. And that will help make this a happy holiday season for all. Merry Christmas!