DALLAS — If you’ve been working hard to ensure this holiday season is as magical as it should be for your loved ones, be sure to take a moment to think of yourself too. A recent poll conducted by researchers with the American Heart Association reports roughly four in five adults neglect their own health needs during the most wonderful time of the year.
Moreover, over half of surveyed Americans (51%) even said it takes weeks for them to feel less stressed following the holidays. Over a quarter of mothers added it usually takes them a month or longer to recover from holiday stress.
After surveying 1,000 U.S. adults all over the country in December 2023 for the American Heart Association’s Healthy for GoodTM initiative by Wakefield Research, study authors found that 71 percent of Americans tend to regret not relaxing more over the holidays. Another 63 percent even asserted that the holidays are more stressful than tax season.
Interestingly, the poll indicates that Americans of all ages have issues with unwinding this time of year. Still, researchers believe that while the holidays can be demanding and overwhelming, adopting a few simple healthy habits can go a long way toward alleviating stress tied to the holiday hustle and bustle.
“Chronic stress can negatively impact both your long-term mental and physical health in many ways if left unmanaged,” says Glenn N. Levine, M.D., FAHA, an American Heart Association volunteer and writing committee chair of the Association’s 2021 Psychological Health, Well-Being, and the Mind-Heart-Body Connection scientific statement, in a media release. “The holidays are an easy time to justify putting off healthy habits, but it’s important to manage chronic stress and other risk factors to stay healthy during the holiday season and into the New Year.”
While many know maintaining healthy habits during the holidays can be tough, these small changes can help manage holiday stress:
- Eat Smart – Eat reasonable portions and think about what colorful fruits and vegetables you can add to your plate versus specific foods to avoid.
- Move More – Physical activity is one of the best ways to manage stress, so try to at least take a short walk each day. Any type of movement counts.
- Sleep Well – Quality sleep can influence your mood, eating habits, memory, and much more. Consider setting an alarm reminding you to silence your phone notifications and wind down.
Additionally, researchers say connecting with others is one of the most important aspects of the holiday season. If you or a loved one begins to feel stressed, be sure to express your feelings and lean on each other for support. That way, you can enjoy the holidays together with lighter, healthier hearts.
You might also be interested in:
- Holiday party poopers: 34% say family gatherings don’t even count as a vacation
- Season of Gathering: Average person traveling to 10 different holiday celebrations this winter
- Cooking for picky eaters is most stressful part of holidays for nearly half of Americans
