Despite how joyful it may be, stress over the holidays is certainly a possibility. It’s a stressful time of year for many individuals because they have to spend a lot of money on gifts, live up to their own (often very high) expectations, and find time for all of the holiday festivities that take place throughout the month.
However, you’re not the only one who has this feeling. A severe mental workload and excessive emotional labor are two ideas that may help to explain the tension you may experience at various moments throughout this season.
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The term “mental load” can also refer to “cognitive labor” or the “invisible load.” It includes the daily tasks you complete but doesn’t record or cross off your to-do list. You’re still devoting effort to the tasks, though.
On the other hand, emotional labor refers to the emotional labor that is involved in various partnerships.
Gifting Increases Your Mental Workload.
During the holiday season, receiving gifts severely strains your mind. It takes a lot of energy to do the buying, the planning, the wrapping, and the actual gift-giving for Christmas, choosing a gift for your parents, choosing a gift for a work exchange, or determining what to get your children (and hiding and wrapping the presents, if they believe in Santa Claus).
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Organizing A Vacation.
If you typically go to family events, the relatively straightforward task of organizing travel adds to your mental workload. It takes much planning and research to figure out how you will get somewhere and when you will leave.
Not to mention the prepping: You must prepare your bags, wrap presents, and arrange any tickets required for travel.
Family Dynamics
Additionally, you might have to cope with awkward family or friend situations.
Your relationship with family is entirely based on relationships. Thus it falls under the category of “emotional labor,” which is a very real source of stress for many individuals over the holiday season (and all year).