Welcome back to Consider Yourself Hugged! Click below to watch, or Click here to listen to Episode 186.
*Disclaimer:
The information in this show is not intended to be therapy or to address your individual situation. It is information based on experiences, opinions, and research. If you need further help, please reach out to one of the resources at the end of the show notes, or others in your area.
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 Hand
Michelle 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 Quiz
Okay, 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!
Our Personal Struggles and Lessons Learned
Michelle is pretty chill about the holidays now, but she did share one thing that can make her feel anxious: scheduling! Trying to coordinate get-togethers with so many grown kids and busy schedules isn’t easy, but her approach is simple—make a plan and let go of the rest.
As for me, well, I had a list!
Comparison: I used to worry about whether my house or hosting skills measured up. Now I focus on being the kind and welcoming person I want to be.
Finances: I’ve learned to involve my family in setting budgets and making decisions. (Pro tip: It’s okay to skip the PJs one year!)
Family Happiness: I’ve stopped trying to make everyone happy. I need to stick to my routines, and that’s okay!
Conflict: No politics or hot-button topics at my table! Setting boundaries has been a game-changer.
Holiday Legacy: It’s never too late to create new traditions that work for you and your family.
What Anxiety Looks Like (And How to Spot It)
We also broke down some signs of anxiety:
Physical: Racing heart, sweaty palms, or shortness of breath.
Mental: Spiraling thoughts, constant worry, or feeling overwhelmed.
Behavioral: Avoidance, irritability, or being overly controlling.
Emotional: Feeling isolated or unable to enjoy the moment.
Michelle explained the difference between anxiety attacks and panic attacks, which was super helpful. Panic attacks often hit out of nowhere, while anxiety attacks usually have a trigger and can last longer.
Our Top Tips for Managing Holiday Anxiety
We wrapped things up with some strategies that have worked for us and could help you too:
Take the Pressure Off: Perfection isn’t the goal—connection is.
Set Realistic Expectations: Focus on what really matters.
Limit Alcohol: It can worsen anxiety and stress.
Practice Self-Care: Exercise, rest, and mindfulness are your best friends.
Say No: You don’t have to do it all! Skip events or traditions that don’t serve you.
Plan Ahead: Especially for financial stress and travel-related anxiety.
Support Your Kids: Help children navigate holiday stress with patience and preparation.
What’s Coming Next Week?
We’re so excited about the next episode in our series, where we’ll focus on mindfulness and relaxation techniques for the holidays. It’s all about being present and finding peace in the chaos. (Of course, you know by now that we could change our minds about topics before then 😁)
Your Turn!
Take the quiz, share your results, and let us know how you’re navigating the holidays this year. Don’t forget to rate, review, and share this podcast—we love hearing from you!
As I've always asked in the past, please pass the show link along to your friends and subscribe, download, and review wherever you are listening. If you’re a woman and you haven’t joined our private FB group A Place for Women, please do that now! It’ll be your source of encouragement. I'd love for you to follow my Tami West Seminars Facebook page as well. If you'd like to know more about my Mental Health First Aid Courses, contact me at 615-497-7714 or tamiwest@tamiwest.com.
And until next time, Consider Yourself Hugged 😘🤗
Mental Health Resources:
Michelle Kixmiller, MSN, MAE, RN, APN, PMHNP-BC
Michelle Kixmiller is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Licensed Educator. She works with children and adults with mental health needs including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, ADHD, autism, schizophrenia, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Michelle served as a public school teacher and science department chair for over a decade when a family tragedy pulled her in a different direction. The death of her younger brother after a multiple year battle with depression and alcoholism led her to pursue a career in the mental health field. She went back to school to become a registered nurse graduating and gaining experience as a critical care nurse at a level 1 regional burn center prior to completing a graduate degree to become a mental health nurse practitioner. Her vision is holistic care through teamwork to create a more peaceful school environment for students and staff alike. No one should have to struggle alone. Michelle currently works full time for a non-profit community mental health center at an outpatient clinic and works PRN for an inpatient crisis stabilization unit. When not at work she loves spending time with family, traveling, watching movies (not scary ones), running (slowly), and Crossfit. Contact Michelle at Silver Lining Psychiatric Solutions, 615-378-7713 or mkixmill@gmail.com.
Tami West, PhD
Stress and Mental Health Expert Dr. Tami West uses her entertaining and compelling style to shine a new light on how to transform your life and discover solutions to life’s challenges.
Tami has worked in a variety of industries including healthcare, school nutrition, corporate sales, and 10 years as a public-school teacher. In 2013 she received her PhD in Human Development, studying the connections among stress, emotions, and identity.
Dr. West has spoken in 48 states across the US, as well as the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. In any given year, Tami speaks to groups with audiences consisting of anywhere from 100 to 3,000 people.
Dr. West is the author of several successful publications including three books: The Stress Club, Life Without the Monsters and Thrive. When she's not speaking or writing, you might find her with her traveling with her husband and family, reading historical fiction, or watching Big Bang Theory.
Tami connects with audiences through real experience, cutting edge research, and transparent stories – all sprinkled with humor! She will make you laugh, cry, and shine a refreshingly new light on life's challenges.
Television Interviews
Contact Tami at tamiwest@tamiwest.com or follow her at Tami West Seminars.
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