LOS ANGELES — Behind the lights and celebrations during the holidays, many people also enter the season carrying stress and pressure.
That is why the Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance’s Project Hope organized an educational workshop at the Anaheim Library focused on how to have healthy communication skills and stress management during the holidays.
Wellness Coordinator, Anela Kaʻiulani Rhodeman, led the workshop offering practical tools for setting boundaries and maintaining emotional balance.
Rhodeman says the season can intensify stress in a way that isn’t always visible.
“Family dynamics or unresolved tension tend to arise and cause stress. Also financial strain, it is an expensive time of the year. Sometimes there’s expectation, even for potlucks, just to bring food. So these are all things that can really cause a lot of stress that maybe we don’t know, really acknowledge, or maybe that we feel like we are not entitled to feel stressed about,” said Rhodeman.
She explained that sometimes there is guilt for not being able to buy the gift you wanted for a loved one or not being able to make it to a family dinner.
That stressor struck a chord with workshop attendee, Mitchell Tanner.
“Sometimes you got to go like, okay, I’m not going to be able to get them the great gifts. But it’s nice to give them something, maybe something small,” said Tanner.
That is an important reminder as the holidays are arriving after a year of rising inflation and financial government programs like SNAP being paused. New data from the investment banking company, BMO found 53% of Americans say the holidays are causing financial anxiety, with parents of young children feeling it stronger at 65%.
Still, Americans are expected to spend 1 thousand dollars more this year than they did in 2024, according to the same report.
Rhodeman says setting early boundaries can help protect ones mental health from all those stressors.
“Many people are facing a loss of resources and there can be a deep sense of shame or guilt. But it’s important to recognize that that’s not the purpose of this time of year and that community, family time and really rest is what’s important right now,” said Rhodeman.
As an introvert, attendee Jordan Bailey says he feels anxious during the holidays due to the many family gatherings and holiday enagagements.
He says the workshop gave him some tips on how to manage his own wellness attending all the events that come with having a big family.
“I’m definitely figuring out a way to sprinkle some time to myself during social situations to recuperate my energy and stuff like that, especially like socializing,” said Bailey.
Rhodeman says giving yourself grace for that time to rest can make a meaningful difference this season.
Doing our best not to internalize the shame and to feel guilty for not being to show up in ways that maybe we expect ourselves to, and trying to maybe nurture ourselves and speak kindly to ourselves more,” said Rhodeman.