Article by Anna Keyter

Many people think of the holidays in December as a time to give, be warm, and be happy. But this time of year can also be very stressful, especially because of the money they may spend on gifts. People often find it hard to stick to budgets. Often, we feel obligated to buy expensive gifts as society’s expectations rise. This stress can increase depression, anxiety and resentment. Worrying about money is one of the most stressful things that can happen during the holidays, according to research. More than half of adults say they feel bad about themselves when they spend too much money. Stress from money problems can have a big effect on mental health, especially for people who are more prone to stress.

Emotional Pressures of Gift-Giving

For anxious individuals, the pressure to meet gift-giving expectations can feel overwhelming. Often, we want to give gifts to show we care. However, this can lead to debt, causing feelings of inadequacy and isolation. It could be useful to reflect back and notice if this has happened during previous Christmas holidays. This cycle can spiral out of control. For example, you may want to buy your child the latest toys but struggle to afford them. This situation can lead to worry and stress, highlighting how financial burdens can diminish the holiday spirit. You don’t want to transform what should be a joyful time into a burdensome obligation. Explaining your financial situation to your child and teaching them to be financially responsible from a young age can be a bonding experience.

The Mental Health Impact of Holiday Stress

According to surveys in the UK, it found that most people feel worse off mentally during the holiday when they overspend. Unfortunately, the holiday stress can lead to physical side effects that can elevate cortisol levels. This can exacerbate mood swings and negatively impact emotional well-being and relationships.

How to Use Art to Make Yourself Happy

One way to deal with Christmas gifts is to give affordable, handmade gifts. This way, you not only feel better, but it also helps your mental health. You can relax and be more aware by doing things yourself (DIY). Making personalised gifts like scented candles or stress balls can help you feel better about yourself and show your loved ones that you care. Recipients of gifts often appreciate home-made gifts and cards more.

There are many inexpensive ways to show you care, such as making photo albums or cookies with things you already have. Giving a few meaningful gifts instead of a lot of cheap ones can make the holidays better for everyone. Making gifts has been shown to activate the brain’s reward centres, which adds to the mental health benefits of this activity. You can get your kids to help you make gifts for others.

Christmas Online Therapy Advice: A Useful Tool

Family and friends can get back the warmth of the season by giving and receiving inexpensive, heartfelt gifts. This can help them make real connections with the people they care about. If you’re feeling stressed out during the holidays, it can also help to get online therapy advice. Best Online Therapy can help you deal with these tough feelings and come up with ways to deal with holiday stress in a healthy way.

Start your journey with Best Online Therapy and get the peace of mind you deserve!

In the end, knowing how holiday money can affect your mood helps you put your mental health first. The holidays can be a very special time if you focus on being creative by taking care of yourself. Instead of holidays being a difficult time, it can be a chance to have fun and connect with family and friends.

References

American Psychological Association. (2023). Even a joyous holiday season can cause stress for most Americans. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2023/11/holiday-season-stress

Brougham, R. R., Jacobs-Lawson, J. M., Hershey, D. A., & Trujillo, K. M. (2011). Who pays your debt? An important question for understanding compulsive buying among American college students. International Journal of Consumer Studies, 35(1), 79-85. (Note: Adapted from correlations in spending predictors; see PMC for full authorship).

Harvard Medical School. (n.d.). Holiday stress and the brain. https://hms.harvard.edu/news-events/publications-archive/brain/holiday-stress-brainKasser, T., & Sheldon, K. M. (2002). What makes for a merry Christmas? Journal of Happiness Studies, 3(4), 313-331. (Inferred from financial stress mechanisms).

Pappas, S. (2020). Why DIY gifts have mental health benefits. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/diy-gifts-that-double-as-mental-health-boostsTrautwein, S., Liberzon, I., Welsh, R. C., Donahue, M. J., Steiger, J. L., & Abelson, J. L. (2016). Effects of anticipatory stress on decision making in a gambling task. Behavioral Neuroscience, 130(2), 195-205. (Linked to mood via PMC studies).

Whole Child Counseling. (2021). DIY holiday gift giving for educators and counselors plus social emotional learning feelings toys. https://www.wholechildcounseling.com/post/diy-holiday-gift-giving-for-educators-and-counselors-plus-sel-feelings-toys

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