Dr. Lynn Wagner is an integrative lifestyle medicine physician with BayCare Clinic. She joined us on Wisconsin Tonight to talk about coping with holiday stress.
The pressures of gift-buying, travel logistics and expenses, family gatherings and the unrealistic expectation that everything go perfectly as planned – all these and more can bring about stress during the holidays. Add to that shorter days and lack of sunlight this time of year – and the prevalence of depression and seasonal affective disorder – and stress almost becomes an expectation for many of us during the holidays. In fact, eight of 10 people anticipate stress during the holiday season, according to a poll by the American Psychological Association.
Reducing stress can improve your mood, immune function and longevity while allowing you to remain more productive. Stress taxes your body, creating an open invitation to a host of illnesses – from the common cold to heart disease.
Unchecked stress can make you feel nervous, anxious, tense and even depressed. It can result in random aches and pains, weight gain and insomnia, decreased productivity and generally make you feel sick. Other common effects of stress include, among others:
* Fatigue
* High blood pressure
* Stomach upset
* Feeling overwhelmed
* Irritability or anger
Here are tips for minimizing holiday stress:
* Set realistic expectations. The holidays don’t have to be perfect. Stop putting that pressure on yourself and learn to enjoy time with family and friends and the traditions that make this time of year special for you.
* Get organized. Create a list of tasks to do and events to attend and follow that list.
* Spread the wealth. Share your “to do” list with others and delegate responsibility when possible. You don't have to do everything yourself.
* Set parameters that work for you. Not thrilled about sleeping in the extra room in your parents’ basement? Get a hotel room. Not really into the holiday party but need to make an appearance? Stay for a couple of hours and leave before last call.
* “No” isn’t a bad word. Decline events that aren’t important to your holidays and say “yes” to events that are.
Visit BayCare.net or call 877-677-5384 for more information.
