You don’t have to spill eggnog on your boss at the company holiday party to know that it’s the most stressful time of year. From end-of-quarter deadlines to anxiety over potential bonuses, potential layoffs, and potentially expensive presents, it can be challenging to maintain focus and composure.
In fact, 89% of Americans say they’re stressed over money and family this holiday season, according to the American Psychological Association, which represents a 41% uptick from normal levels.
Logically you’re aware the holidays will be over soon, but the human brain doesn’t have a ton of room for nuance. Instead, it sees all stress as an imminent threat, says Dr. Dave Rabin, psychiatrist and founder of Apollo Neuro. “Our bodies don’t know the difference between stress from the holidays — or stress from too many emails and responsibilities — and the stress of a survival threat like running from a lion in the jungle,” Rabin tells b.
This diverts blood away from our biological recovery systems and straight to the fear center of our brains, boosting stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, so our sleep gets worse and our performance suffers. Nearly a third of Americans have more trouble sleeping as the holidays approach. (No wonder we can’t get anything done lately.)
The good news is therapy, meditation, yoga, and breath work can help pull a person out of a “fight, flight or freeze” state. “All of those techniques are about providing a constant reminder to ourselves that we’re not under threat,” Rabin says.
At least we’re a lot less stressed about COVID than during Christmases in 2020 and 2021, when most celebrations were called off. This year, we can accidentally spill eggnog on the boss.
