Managing Stress Levels During the Holidays

Keeping Your Spirits Bright & Your Stress at Bay

With the holiday season upon us, that means plenty of time spent gift shopping, planning events and prepping for guests. While this can be a time of joy and togetherness, it also can cause a spike in your stress levels. Subsequently, this can be harmful to both your physical and mental health.

The health experts at Southwest General are here to help you and your loved ones focus on the reason for the season and nip your stress in the bud.

How Stress Affects Your Body

When you’re feeling stressed, your body releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline to trigger your “fight or flight” response to save you from harmful situations. Although experiencing stress is a normal part of life, too much stress for prolonged periods of time can cause the following health issues:

• Sleep disorders
• Digestive issues
• Ulcers
• Headaches
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• High cholesterol
• Heart disease
• Weight gain and loss
• Fertility issues for males and females
• Increased risk of infection
• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Pregnancy complications

Healthy Coping Mechanisms

While the holidays can certainly get your tinsel in a tangle, there are plenty of ways that you can help to combat stress. When you’re feeling your stress level rise, try to make some time for relaxation. The following wintery activities can help regulate your mood around the holidays:

• Watch your favorite holiday movie
• Play board games with your loved ones
• Take a nature hike or walk
• Try gratitude journaling
• Take a nap
• Declutter, organize and deep clean your spaces
• Sing along to your favorite holiday music

If you still feel as though your stress levels are consistently high, be sure to reach out to a mental health professional.

Primary and Specialty Care in Ohio

Southwest General Medical Group, Inc. includes both primary care and specialty care physicians who are committed to providing patients with high-quality medical care. Our team of board-certified specialists and skilled physicians work to raise the bar for excellence in health care service for our community. To learn more about our primary and specialty care services or to schedule an appointment, visit our website.