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A national survey by the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center finds that stressors in everything from inflation to world affairs are piling up for Americans. Psychologist Nicole Hollingshead, PhD, says stopping to think about what you can plan for and what’s out of your control can help you manage stress and protect your mental health this holiday season. Credit: Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
The season of comfort and joy is upon us, but a new survey finds that for many Americans, it’s the season of stress and worry. A new survey commissioned by Wexner Medical Center and the Ohio State University School of Medicine finds that Americans are feeling the pressure this year from inflation and world affairs, in addition to other stressors that often accompany vacation.
Of the 1,007 people surveyed, 81% said national issues and global affairs stressed them out. Additionally, 75% of respondents are stressed by rising prices and vacation spending and 53% are stressed by increasing cases of respiratory illnesses across the country, such as the flu and COVID-19. Memories of last year’s holiday travel crisis account for 44% of survey respondents stress.
Although they can be stressful, vacation are meant to be a time when families and friends can connect and recharge, said Nicole Hollingshead, Ph.D., a psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.
“The holidays kind of bring on this feeling of sadness and struggle when we really want it to be a more joyful time,” Hollingshead said. “I encourage people to think about what the holidays meant to you growing up. And most of the time I don’t hear people reflect on, ‘I loved having all the presents, or I remember every single thing that someone has given me.” Instead, it’s more of a holiday feeling.”
Stressed people should take a step back and combat holiday stress by taking charge of what they “can” control.
When someone feels overwhelmed, Hollingshead says it’s time to STOP:
Sdown.
Ttake a few deep breaths.
Ohreserves the problem.
P.proceed with a rational plan.
The survey asked questions about these specific topics, and Hollingshead offers tips to help you cope with each stressor:
- Inflation and holiday spending: Rising prices are out of your control, but you can discuss your budget with your family or partner in advance and plan to reduce spending.
- National/World Affairs: The constant stream of headlines on violent crime, political controversy and the escalation of international conflicts negatively affects the mental health of Americans. While we can’t do much to control these things, we can control our exposure to them. Limit the time you spend watching TV news and avoid scrolling through online news and social media.
- Increase in seasonal respiratory illnesses: Mitigating your risk is the best way to protect you and your family from illnesses like COVID and the flu. Make sure you’re aware of recommended vaccinations, set clear boundaries around being around people who are feeling sick, and wash your hands frequently.
- An Unreliable Travel Industry: When it comes to travel, hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. You can’t control traffic jams or flight delays, but you can make sure all your phones and devices are charged in case you’re stuck for a while. Always have a plan B in case things go wrong. Be flexible and find ways to enjoy your time together even if your trip doesn’t go as planned.
Although it’s common to feel stress during the holidays, Hollingshead encourages people to avoid emotional spending fueled by advertising messages that exploit the desire for the perfect vacation. This desire for perfection often deters holiday joy, she said.
“The holidays are coming up and I’m worrying: ‘Did I buy enough for my family? Did I make enough?’ And so, we can lose sight of the importance of having too many gifts or making sure everyone has enough to unwrap. Then we lose sight of the bigger picture, i.e. say this moment spent together.
Study results and methodology
This study was conducted on behalf of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center by SSRS on its Opinion Panel Omnibus platform. The SSRS Opinion Panel Omnibus is a bimonthly national probability-based survey. Data collection was carried out from October 20 to 23 with a sample of 1,007 respondents.
The survey was conducted via web (n = 977) and telephone (n = 30) and administered in English. The margin of error for total respondents is +/-3.6 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. All SSRS Opinion Panel omnibus data is weighted to represent the target population of U.S. adults aged 18 or older.
