A new poll from the American Psychiatric Association (APA) suggests stress is looming large this holiday season compared with years past — with Americans especially sweating about the economy.
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The latest Healthy Minds poll from AHA is one in a series of polls that track public sentiment on mental health issues throughout the year.
For the latest results, the APA conducted online interviews with a representative sample of more than 2,200 adults between November 4 and November 5, 2025, with a margin of error plus or minus 2 percentage points.
What’s the Biggest Overall Concern for Americans Right Now?
The No. 1 worry identified by the poll is the economy, with 75 percent of all respondents saying they are very or somewhat anxious about it. Close behind was healthcare, with 71 percent saying they’re somewhat or very anxious about it.
When asked specifically about the upcoming holidays, 41 percent of respondents anticipate more seasonal stress this year — a significant increase compared with 2024 (28 percent) and 2023 (29 percent). Younger adults aged 18 to 34 were more likely to anticipate holiday stress (49 percent) compared to adults over 65 (27 percent).
The top worries were missing a loved one or experiencing grief (48 percent) and affording or finding holiday gifts (46 percent). About one-third cited concerns about family dynamics (32 percent) or feeling lonely (31 percent).
Overall, 1 in 5 participants said that the end-of-year holidays have a negative impact on their mental health.
On the Bright Side
Almost half of participants (44 percent) said the holiday season has a generally positive impact on their mental health. Seeing family and friends, eating good food, and giving and receiving gifts were the top activities that respondents reported looking forward to most.
“Although some people dread the holidays — and there can be stress associated with gift giving and gift receiving — it’s also a time when families come together for food, fellowship, and fun,” says Gregory Scott Brown, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist and associate professor at the University of Houston College of Medicine in Texas.
“The holidays also can give people something to look forward to, and research shows that being future-oriented is good for your mental health.”
Experts Are Not Surprised by These Results
Anxiety is one of the most commonly-experienced mental health conditions for adults in the United States, says Dr. Brown, who chairs the APA’s Council on Communications. He’s not surprised reports of anxiety are on the rise.
“This is likely due to a combination of factors, including environmental stressors — such as political stress, a toxic news cycle, and comparing ourselves to unrealistic depictions we see on social media — as well as more people feeling comfortable reporting their experience with anxiety, which can certainly cause an increase in the numbers we saw in previous years,” says Brown.
Holiday-triggered anxiety can easily creep in around this time of year no matter what else is going on.
“Anxiety often shows up subtly — trouble concentrating, irritability, tension in your body — long before it feels overwhelming,” says Ryan C. Warner, PhD, a clinical psychologist and executive coach in Houston, Texas. “Noticing those early signs gives you space to slow down and respond with intention.”
How to Manage Holiday Season Stress
Here are some expert-recommended tips for making it through the season as peacefully as possible:
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- Ask for help. Seeking support from your circle of friends and family and delegating where appropriate could help lighten your emotional load. “For example, if you have to do a lot of cooking for Thanksgiving, see if someone else in the household can handle laundry for the week,” says Hillary Ammon, PsyD, a clinical psychologist at the Center for Anxiety and Women’s Emotional Wellness in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
- Simply your to-do list. Differentiating between necessary obligations and optional tasks can help simplify your to-do list. “Try having a running list of non-priority tasks that you can add if you find time,” says Ammon.
- Just breathe. Taking five minutes or less for a series of deep, relaxing breaths can make all the difference — plus, it can be done virtually anywhere. “This strategy is backed by research to help take your body out of fight or flight mode, ultimately making you feel less stressed or overwhelmed,” says Ammon.
- Don’t be afraid to say no. Especially heading into the holidays, Dr. Warner suggests protecting your energy and setting boundaries. “Guard your time, your finances, and your emotional well-being so you don’t end up running on empty,” he says. “It’s okay to say no — you get to choose what you can genuinely participate in and what you need to decline.”
- Practice gratitude. Research shows reflecting on what you’re grateful for can yield significant physical and emotional benefits.
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Warner suggests asking yourself: “What brought me even a small moment of comfort today? What’s one thing about myself I appreciate, but rarely acknowledge?” - Connect with others. Reaching out to friends, neighbors, or trusted community members (outside of holiday gatherings) can help calm feelings of overwhelm. “Sometimes, it can simply be helpful to share what is going on with someone else,” Ammon says.
- Limit doom scrolling. Take a break from the news and social media — both of which can create feelings of distress. This is a tactic totally within your control. “If you know that doom scrolling raises your anxiety, it is particularly important to set limits on social media use during the holiday season,” says Ammon.
If anxiety is intense or long-lasting enough, you may benefit from professional support. If you notice worry or anxiety that lasts six months or longer, consider seeking the help of a healthcare provider who can diagnose symptoms and offer treatment options.
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“If anyone is struggling with severe stress or anxiety, or feeling depressed, reach out to a mental health professional, like a psychiatrist. There is never a reason to suffer in silence,” says Brown.
