Stress and The Holidays

BY: V INCENT SIMONE

STRESS AND THE HOLIDAYS

TYPES OF STRESS

• Eustress• Stress that results in positive consequences such as enhanced performance or personal growth.

• Distress• Stress that results in negative consequences such as decreased performance and growth.

LEADING HOLIDAY STRESSORS

• Lack of Time• Lack of Money• Commercialism• Pressure of Giving or Receiving gifts• Family Gatherings• Staying on Diet• Increased Credit Card Debit• Travel• Children

LEADING HOLIDAY STRESSORS

ChildrenTravel

Family GatheringsPressure of giving or receiving gifts

Staying on DietIncreasing credit card debit

commercialismLack of money

Lack of time

91014161717262730

303444473735536267

Often Sometimes

POSITIVE EMOTIONS DURING THE HOLIDAYS

• Happiness

• High Spirits

• Connectedness

• Extra Energy

NEGATIVE EMOTIONS DURING THE HOLIDAYS

• Fatigue

• Stress

• Irritability

• Bloating

• Anger

HOLIDAY STRESSORS (BY GENDER)

Increases Decreases Stays the same0

10

20

30

40

50

60

WomenMen

THANKSGIVING DAY ACTIVITIES (GENDER COMPARISON)

Watch Football

Shop for food

Cook

Clean dirty dishes

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 8026

52

66

70

46

32

35

41

Men Women

GREATEST SOURCE OF STRESS: WORK OR HOME

57%29%

9%5%

Stess at workStress at HomeBothNeither

HOLIDAY STRESS CHANGE BY INCOME

Increases Decreases Stays the same

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Less Than $30k$30k to $50k$50k to $75k$75k or more

STRESS RELIEF ACTIVITIES

• Listening to music• Exercise for at least 30 minutes• Meditation or yoga• Relaxing• Stick to a budget• Plan ahead

KEY FINDINGS

• Women are more likely then men to report stress during the holiday season then men• Holiday stress has an impact on lower middle

class• Work place stress doesn’t disappear• People worry that work responsibilities will interfere with

holiday family time• Commercialism creates additional stress• Men and women both feel it is their duty to make the

holidays the best they can for their families

CONCLUSION

The holidays can be a hectic time, where shopping, cooking, and party planning get added to the list of things to do. People wonder where they will find the time and money to get everything done. It is during these times that many people experience an increase in stress. Work stress is a big concern and is one of the leading life stressors. During the holidays work may or may not supply enough income to support the holidays or might not supply enough free time to spend with family.

REFERENCES

• Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research. “Holiday Stress”. American Psychology Association. December 12, 2006. http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2006/12/holiday-stress.pdf

• Greenberg, Jerold. Comprehensive Stress Management. McGraw Hill. Thirteenth edition. New York. 2011