Stress is Affecting Family Well-Being as Americans Head Into Holiday Season
Washington, DC – The American Psychological Association’s (APA) newest Stress in America survey found that stress is taking a physical and emotional health toll on children and could have long-term impacts on the health of families. As the holiday season quickly approaches, psychologists warn that parents and families need to take stock of how the season’s stressors affect them and their families and engage in healthy behaviors to mitigate the physical health consequences of stress.
The survey, which was conducted online by Harris Interactive in August 2010, showed that Americans appear to be caught in a vicious cycle where they manage stress in unhealthy ways, and lack of willpower and time constraints impede their ability to make lifestyle or behavioral changes. Over two-thirds of parents think their stress level has slight to no impact on their child’s stress level, however, only 14 percent of tweens and teens reported that they are not bothered when their parent is stressed. Furthermore, the connection between high stress levels and health is alarming, with 34 percent of obese parents experiencing high levels of stress (defined as an 8, 9 or 10 on a 10-point scale) as compared to 23 percent of normal-weight parents.
“The holiday season is a notoriously stressful time for Americans,” says psychologist Dr. Patricia White. “There is pressure from family, friends and manufacturers to create the perfect holiday season – an unrealistic expectation that is impossible to achieve. It is important that families work together to set realistic holiday expectations and reduce the stress of the season.”
Children model their parents’ behaviors, including those related to managing stress. Parents who deal with holiday stress in unhealthy ways risk passing those behaviors on to their children. Alternatively, parents who cope with stress in healthy ways can not only promote better adjustment and happiness for themselves, but also promote the formation of critically important habits and skills in children. By taking small, manageable steps to a healthier lifestyle, families can establish and work toward goals to be psychologically and physically fit.
APA suggests the following strategies for families to manage holiday stress and enjoy the season:
Take time for yourself Taking care of yourself helps you to take better care of others in your life. Go for a long walk or take time out to read or listen to your favorite music. By slowing down you will actually have more energy to accomplish your goals.
Volunteer Many charitable organizations face new challenges as a result of the ongoing economic downturn. Find a local charity, such as a soup kitchen or a shelter, where you and your family can volunteer together. Helping others who are less fortunate can put hardships in perspective and build stronger family relationships.
Set realistic expectations No holiday celebration is perfect; view inevitable missteps as opportunities to demonstrate flexibility and resilience. Create a realistic budget and remind your children that the holidays aren’t about expensive gifts
Remember what’s important Commercialism can overshadow the true sentiment of the holiday season. When your holiday expense list is running longer than your monthly budget, scale back. Remind yourself that family, friends and the relationships in your life are what matter most.
Seek support Talk about stress related to the holidays with your friends and family. Getting things out in the open can help you navigate your feelings and work toward a solution. If you continue to feel overwhelmed, consider talking with a professional such as a psychologist to help you develop coping strategies and better manage your stress. A psychologist has the skills and professional training to help people learn to manage stress and cope more effectively with life problems, using techniques based on best available research and their clinical skills and experience, and taking into account an individual’s unique values, goals and circumstances.
Copyright APA 2010
Stress in America is part of APAs Mind/Body Health public education campaign. For additional information on stress and lifestyle and behavior, visit www.apa.org/helpcenter and read the campaign blog at www.yourmindyourbody.org.
The Nevada Psychological Association regularly posts current mind/body health tips on their website in the mind/body health blog. This and more information can be found at nvpsychology.org. The website also has referral information to find a psychologist in your area. To request presentations in the areas of mind/body health, healthy families, stress management and resilience, please dont hesitate to contact Dr. Leanne Earnest to make arrangements for a speaker. She can be reached through the website or at (702) 222-1812.
