Across 40 major U.S. cities, 70% of Americans report higher stress during the holidays, driven by pressure to feel festive, financial strain, and expectations around gift giving.
From rising gift costs to the time spent planning and shopping, gift giving is the #1 source of holiday stress, followed closely by traffic, crowded stores, and overspending.
Cities like Louisville, Nashville, and Minneapolis experience the biggest jump in stress during the holidays, with many residents feeling pressure as early as November, while places like Jacksonville, Los Angeles, and Austin report the least stress.
Holiday traditions and festive decorations fill many people with joy, but the holiday season can bring frost with it as well. From heated disagreements with family to pricey gifts, many aspects of the holidays leave Americans feeling more stressed than usual.
As national experts in mental health, the team at Rula wanted to gain more insight into the specific causes of this tension. To do this, we surveyed residents in 40 of the largest U.S. cities to ask how the holiday season impacts their mental health.
We started by asking respondents to rate their typical stress level, then asked respondents to rate their stress during the holidays on the same scale. Using the difference between the ratings, we calculated an average score by city to find out which cities experience the greatest holiday stress.
In addition to our city ranking, we also uncovered the aspects of hosting, traveling, and other parts of the holidays that cause Americans the most stress. Read on to learn what may be causing those closest to you stress during this holiday season.
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Where Americans are most stressed during the holidays
From hosting family to picking out the perfect gift for everyone, some aspects of the holiday season keep Americans from fully enjoying the festivities. Overall, when comparing their usual stress to what’s felt during the holiday season, we discovered 70% of people experience more stress during this time of year.
When taking a look at major cities across the country, it was residents in Louisville, KY, that topped the list for the most stressed during the holidays. With a holiday stress score of 98.98 out of 100, we found that Louisville residents are most likely to say that pressure to feel happy or festive during this time stresses them out.
About 170 miles south, our second place city for holiday stress, Nashville, TN, earns a score of 95.00 out of 100. In general, one in three Music City residents say their stress begins in early November, and nearly one in two say it reaches its peak by mid-December. Minneapolis, MN, claims third place with a holiday stress score of 88.24 out of 100. Overall, residents of the city are most stressed by gift costs, gift planning, and family tensions.
While the pressure can be felt all throughout the season, we discovered that nearly one in six Americans say their stress starts before November. By mid-November, one in five are starting to feel it as well. As for the peak of this holiday stress, more than two fifths feel it by mid-December.
Not all Americans feel extra tension during the holidays, however. For example, Jacksonville, FL ranks first for the least stressed. This is followed by Los Angeles, CA, and Austin, TX, in second and third place, respectively.
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Aspects of the holiday season that cause Americans stress
With all the stress that comes with the holidays, we wanted to pinpoint which parts of the season cause the most pressure. For many people receiving presents is often considered to be a highlight of the holiday season. But the process of finding and buying those gifts is actually the biggest source of holiday stress for many people.
Up first, three in four Americans note that a major stressor is gift costs. Gone are the days of simple toys as children stuff their wish lists full of the latest tech gadgets, Lego sets, and more. Whether shopping for kids or adults, hefty price tags can cause both financial and psychological strain.
The stress around gifts doesn’t end with costs, however. Another 71% of Americans consider gift planning to be a stressor during the holidays. In third place is heavier traffic with 67% of people reporting it as a major source of stress. Traffic is followed by crowded stores in fourth place, with nearly two thirds of Americans saying crowding causes them stress.
In fifth place for holiday stressors is overspending or financial strain unrelated to gifts (61%). Overall, we found that the average American spends $261.16 over their budget during the holiday season. When looking at this overspending locally, it’s Los Angeles, CA ($333.07), Dallas, TX ($326.91), and Charlotte, NC ($319.40), leading the way with the most spending over budget.
While gifts, traffic, and overspending are among the top general stressors, we know that some of the most stressful moments of the holiday season revolve around two things: hosting and traveling. Because of this, we decided to ask respondents about aspects of each to determine which parts of hosting and traveling are putting the most pressure on Americans.
Starting with hosting, we found that the biggest area of strain is cooking a big meal (47%). Depending on the size of the group you plan to host, cooking a holiday meal can require hours in the kitchen. The stress of hosting for the holidays is not limited to the time spent with people in your home. In fact, most people have a laundry list of chores to check off before anyone even steps foot inside.
For more than two fifths of Americans, cleaning the house before guests arrive is incredibly stressful. In third place for holiday hosting stressors is the cost of hosting (32%), as many people spend on everything from decorations to food. The stress doesn’t end once everyone leaves your home either, as nearly one in three Americans say the post-party cleanup is another stressful task.
If you aren’t hosting this holiday season, that might mean you are traveling to someone else’s home, and this comes with its own list of stressors. Topping the list, one in three people note that weather uncertainty is a challenge. Whether you’re attempting to navigate a long drive on the highway or booking a flight, unpredictable winter weather can upend your plans.
In second place is travel costs, excluding flights (30%). From filling up your gas tank to potentially stopping at hotels along the way, traveling for the holidays can get pricey. Coming in third for travel stressors is traffic and parking, which causes stress for one in four people. Flight prices and staying with friends or family follow closely behind in fourth and fifth place, respectively.
How Americans manage holiday stress
While some stressful aspects of the holidays can be unavoidable, it’s important to know how to relieve that stress. So to wrap up our study, we asked respondents what activities help to clear their mind and hopefully get them back on track to a cheerful holiday.
Up first is simply taking a walk or exercising, with 53% of Americans citing movement as their primary stress reliever. Sometimes a few minutes outside or breaking a sweat at the gym can help to recenter you while also ensuring you stay active. For half of respondents, planning ahead helps them to limit stress by laying out what needs to be done ahead of time.
For nearly half of respondents, sleep is the best medicine as taking a nap claims third place for the most popular stress relief activities. Regardless of your family’s traditions, food takes center stage during the holidays from one house to the next. Perhaps that’s why nearly two in five people turn to comfort eating as a way to calm themselves during the most stressful moments.
Following closely behind is talking to a friend and scrolling social media, which rank fifth and sixth, respectively. Nearly one in three Americans protect their peace by declining invitations. Some years it feels like everyone is planning a holiday event, from family to friends to work. It can be too much to try and make every invitation, and knowing when to say “no” can help protect your mental health.
Similarly, nearly a third of people set boundaries as a way to relieve or prevent stress during the holidays. At the end of the day, it’s up to you how you spend your holidays, and if that includes some downtime to relax, then setting boundaries can help to ensure you stay happy and healthy. This is no new trend, however, as we discovered that more than two fifths of Americans say they have skipped a holiday event to protect their mental health.
How Rula can support you through holiday stress
At Rula, we know the holidays can take a toll on your mental health. That’s why we’re here to make it easier for anyone experiencing stress to find meaningful support. We don’t just connect you to care — we help you find care that truly fits your needs.
You can get started today and match with a therapist who can help you navigate holiday stress and the challenges of everyday life, whether online or in person. Just answer a few simple questions, and we’ll recommend licensed, in-network providers tailored to you. Most Rula patients pay an average of $15 per session with insurance.*
Wherever you are in your mental health journey, Rula is here to support you.
Methodology
In this study, we set out to learn where Americans are most stressed by the holiday season. To do this, we surveyed residents in 40 of the largest U.S. cities and asked them to rate their typical stress level on a scale of 0 to 10, with 10 representing extremely stressed. We then asked respondents to rate their stress level on the same scale during the holiday season. Next, we compared these two levels and created an average increase in stress by city and then adjusted that on a scale of 0 to 100, with 100 representing the most stressed.
In addition to our overall stress ranking, we asked about a variety of other aspects that may cause stress during the holidays. This included aspects of hosting, travel, and the holidays in general that contribute to stress. We also asked about overspending and ranked cities based on how much residents spend over their budget during the holidays.
*Actual cost may vary based on your insurance benefits and deductible. Rula will provide you with a personalized cost estimate prior to your first appointment
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Rula's editorial team is on a mission to make science-backed mental health insights accessible and practical for every person seeking to better understand or improve mental wellness.
Members of Rula’s clinical leadership team and other expert providers contribute to all published content, offering guidance on themes and insights based on their firsthand experience in the field. Every piece of content is thoroughly reviewed by a clinician before publishing.
