Festive stress? Academic’s advice helps avoid turkey tantrums
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A Goldsmiths academic has helped identify the main causes of stress and strain for many at Christmas.
Georgina Hosang, Lecturer in Psychology
Dr Georgina Hosang has provided expert analysis into research findings which identified so-called “Advent Anxiety” – a festive-based state which research found affects people during December.
The research showed that 85 per cent of young adults suffer from such this – with 29 the age when the enjoyment of Christmas is lost.
Using the popular festive song The 12 Days of Christmas as its basis, the research identified the “12 Dismays of Christmas” which cause the biggest amounts of stress.
They are:
- The fall-out from a stressful shopping spree
- Two giant bills
- Three turkey failures
- Four unwrapped presents
- Five family quarrels
- Six gifts not wanted
- Seven online delays
- Eight storms a raging
- Nine forgotten people
- Ten out of stockists
- Eleven magic losses
- Twelve ruined dinners
Dr Hosang said it was a surprise to see that those in the 18 to 24 year-old age range were suffering from so-called Advent Anxiety.
She added: “There are many things that have the potential to go wrong at this time of year, which means we all experience differing levels of stress. Fixing the things that go wrong as soon as possible will help to alleviate the pressure that many of us are experiencing.”
The research was undertaken by Direct Line insurance as part of its #merryfixmas advertising campaign.
Dr Hosang, who did not undertake the research but provided analysis, added: “Conducting research to better understand the relationship between stress and mental health is important and extremely valuable.
“My expertise in this area is useful in thinking about developing stress management strategies but also increasing public awareness of the link between stress, mental health and wellbeing.”
“Working with Direct Line campaign on Advent Anxiety has offered the opportunity to provide expert analysis of their findings but also outline effective ways of managing stress.”