Holiday Stress Surges as Shoppers Rush for Deals Amid Chaos

UPDATE: As the holiday season kicks off, shoppers are racing to stores for discounts, but experts warn that this time of year can also trigger significant stress. Early Friday morning, crowds lined up outside Target in River Park, Fresno, eager to score deals on popular items like AirPods and Beats headphones.

However, the excitement often comes at a cost. According to the American Psychiatric Association, 28% of Americans reported heightened holiday-related stress last year. “This can also be a time of really high expectations,” warns Coraline Robinson, a licensed Family and Marriage Therapist at Balance Treatment Center. “When we have high expectations, what happens? Well, they can only go down, right?”

Key stressors identified include gift-buying pressures, family dynamics, and feelings of grief. To combat this, Robinson recommends setting boundaries and taking breaks. “Taking a few deep breaths, finding a private room,” she notes, “is really important when we’re under stress with our families.”

As shoppers flood into stores, Robinson emphasizes the importance of physical activity to help manage nerves. “We want to depress our nervous systems,” she states. “By the time we go into the event with our family or friends, we want to be calm and tired.”

Nutrition also plays a crucial role in stress management. Robinson advises monitoring both alcohol and sugar intake to help maintain mental clarity. “There’s going to be a lot of pushing, marketing, different things online right now,” she cautions. “It’s good to take a break and lose yourself in an audiobook or a podcast.”

Experts are encouraging everyone to step back from the holiday hustle and grant themselves some grace. As the rush for deals continues, remember that taking care of your mental health is just as important as snagging those big discounts.

Stay tuned for more updates on holiday shopping trends and mental health tips as the season unfolds. For continuous coverage, follow Ana Torrea on Facebook, X, and Instagram.