The Holidays are often an exciting time of the year. Taking time off from work, spending time with family, and celebrating family traditions are all enjoyable activities. During a season intended to be full of joy, connection, and generosity, the holiday financial burden can cause excessive stress. Individuals' emotional well-being can be adversely affected by financial obligations and holiday expectations. Stress from buying gifts, decorations, and traveling and food expenses can add up quickly more than in any other time of year. Paired with the self talk that we 'have to be spending this much' and the societal pressures, the most 'joyful time fo the year' can feel the exact opposite. Due to our cultures emphasis on money and gift giving, individuals from all walks of life are impacted, especially parents. Parents with children might be worried about disappointing their children. They also may feel pressured to buy gifts to make up for other perceived areas that may be lacking: such as in emotional connection.

The pressure to impress children and other family memmbers can make the holiday gift exchanges feel more competitive than out of love. On top of the emotional stress, parents can even lose sleep over holiday spending and feel some increased levels of anxiety and stress about the holidays.

In what should be one of the most beautiful times of the year, people can suffer from financial stress that can greatly affect their physical and mental health. The majority of people who participate in the Christmas shopping season may feel financially burdened and stressed due to the cost of the holiday season, stretching their budgets and feeling pressured to spend more than they are comfortable with. Here are a few ways you can help decrease financial stressors during the holiday season.

  1. Plan for holiday expenses throughout the year. Being thoughtful about Christmas budget WAY before the holiday season can help you better maintain financial and mental wellness during this time of year. Consider placing aside some money in the start of the year towards holiday buying.
  2. Embrace new, low cost traditions to avoid financial hardship during the holiday season. Getting the family together to go see Christmas lights around the city, making gingerbread cookies on a Saturday evening, or creating fun, competitive 'Christmas Olympics' around your home can create exciting family time without draining your wallet.
  3. Invest into the memories rather than the gifts. Taking time to focus as a family throughout the holiday season on what this time of year means to you can help redirect the anxiety of gift giving towards what really matters.

It is more important now more than ever to be smart about our physical and mental well-being. We become increasingly stressed when we do not take care of all parts of ourselves: physical, mental, emotional, and yes, even financial. Interestingly, they all impact one another! Consider these tips to help you maintain your wellness during the holiday season. If you find that the stress is only intensifying and you see no relief in sight, consider speaking to a professional who may be able to help you learn to manaage stress and anxiety regardless of the season.