One-third of Americans more stressed about holidays than COVID-19

Thirty-one percent of American adults expect to feel stressed about the upcoming holiday season, an increase of 9 percentage points from 2021, according to a poll from the American Psychiatric Association.

A total of 2,209 American adults responded to online polling questions, a part of the Healthy Minds Monthly Poll, from Nov. 9 to Nov. 11. The APA reports there is a margin of error of +/- 2 percentage points.

“This is a busy time of year for many people, and it’s common to put a lot of expectations on ourselves during the holidays,” APA President Rebecca W. Brendel, MD, JD, said in a press release from the association.

Survey respondents said potential drivers of stress included affording holiday gifts (50%) and meals (39%), as well as finding and securing gifts (37%). Younger adults and those making less than $50,000 per year were more likely to worry about affording the holidays.

Compared with 2021, Americans are less worried about spreading (2021, 35%; 2022, 25%) or contracting COVID-19 (2021, 38%; 2022, 26%) this year. In addition, Americans are less worried about spending time with someone who may have a different viewpoint on COVID-19 (2021, 30%; 2022, 18%).

“While Americans are looking forward to seeing family this year, it’s important to remain vigilant about COVID-19, the flu and RSV,” Saul Levin, MD, MPA, APA medical director, said in the release. “We are in a different situation than in 2020 or even 2021, but it’s still important to take precautions and stay home if you are sick.”

Parents were more likely than non-parents (39% vs. 27%) to report that they anticipate experiencing more stress this holiday season compared with last year.

A majority of respondents (47%) reported they are most looking forward to seeing family and friends this holiday season, and more than one-fifth of Americans (21%) reported they were most looking forward to eating good food.