Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – From finances to planning, the holidays are exceptionally stressful. This is a fact for almost everybody.

Barbara Wheatley, the Lead Clinician for Memorial Behavioral Health, spoke on the WTAX Morning Newswatch about some different things that may cause holiday stress and how to get past them, as well as symptoms and signs that you are stressed out, so you can decide if it’s time to take some self-care into mind, and outlet that stress.

“There are a lot of pressures that people don’t necessarily perceive, until they’re upon them. One way to avoid some of the stress is to plan ahead of time,” Wheatley said. “This means making very specific plans, be it for your Christmas meal, planning that menu, so you know what you have to shop for food wise, you know how many people you are going to be feeding, and are planning out what that dinner looks like ahead of time, before that day is upon you and you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed.”

Now we know how to stay without stress when it comes to Christmas dinner, what about the financial aspect of the holidays?

Wheatley said a good thing to remember is that “Christmas is just one day. Don’t go broke, for one day.”

“At the holidays, we tend to see that stress grow. The financial stress of the holidays and shopping. Everything has gone up with our tariffs and taxes. Which is why it’s important to have a budget, to know what you’re going to spend and what you’re able to spend. It doesn’t make you a bad parent or friend if you can’t afford everything on the Christmas list.”

Are you stressed? There are many symptoms that stem from stress, such as fatigue, over or under-eating, lack of sleep, racing heartbeat, even headaches or avoiding situations or conversations. If you are experiencing stress symptoms, it may be time to try and decompress.

Hopefully they don’t, but if the holidays stress you out so much you need to speak with somebody, you of course can always start with friends, or family. However, therapy is also a good option. You can reach out to Memorial Behavioral Health by calling 217-788-7070, or can talk to somebody on the Crisis Prevention Hotline by calling 988