Hi friends!This week, Michelle and I are back with Part II of our Holiday Mental Health Series, and we’re diving into anxiety. If the holidays bring you feelings of overwhelm, financial stress, or family drama, you’re not alone—and we’ve got you covered.What We Talk About Today:Anxiety and Holidays Can Go Hand in HandMichelle and I started by sharing some eye-opening stats on how common holiday anxiety is. Did you know:52% of people feel more anxious during the holidays.66% experience financial stress.24% of folks with mental health challenges say the holidays make it worse.63% even said the holidays are more stressful than tax season!It’s no wonder so many people struggle to feel holly jolly!We also talked about some reasons behind the stress:Increased Social Demands: Parties, gatherings, and the pressure to be “on” can feel overwhelming.Financial Strain: Buying gifts, hosting meals, and traveling can stretch anyone’s budget.Family Dynamics: Old tensions and unresolved conflicts often resurface.Loneliness: The holidays can amplify feelings of isolation, even when you’re in a crowded room.Unrealistic Expectations: Those Hallmark movie moments? Yeah, they don’t exist in real life.Our Quirky Holiday Anxiety QuizOkay, let’s talk about the quiz! It was such a fun way to gauge where we are on the holiday anxiety scale. Michelle scored an 11, which put her solidly in the Holiday Hero category (I mean, of course, right?!). Meanwhile, I got a 16—a Festive Fence-Sitter.Here’s the breakdown:Holiday Hero (10–15 points): You thrive during the holidays! You’re the life of the party and keep the festive spirit alive.Festive Fence-Sitter (16–24 points): You love the holidays, but they can feel like a lot. Boundaries and balance are your best friends.Tinsel-Tied (25–30 points): The holidays? More like holi-daze. It’s time to simplify, breathe, and take care of YOU.If you haven’t taken the quiz yet, check out the link below with all the activities we promised! Show notes at https://www.tamiwest.com/post/navigating-anxiety-holiday-mental-health-guide-part-2. Thanks for joining!**Not intended to be therapy or replace therapy - If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources:General Resources National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/ Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ About AA: https://www.aa.org/ Tami West, PhD Stress and Me
Connect with us
**The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek help from a qualified professional. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or visit 988lifeline.org for chat and resources.
General Resources
National Alliance of Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org
Mental Health America: https://mhanational.org
Mental Health First Aid Resources: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/
About Tami & Michelle:
Michelle Kixmiller, PMHNP
Michelle is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Tami West, PhD
Stress & Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses research & fun to help transform your life.
