Stress and the Holidays

By Marie Hunt

Mommy MD Staff Writer

Stress is a major cause of depression and physical fatigue, and it is during the holidays, experts say, that the added pressures may cause what is known as acute stress. Several surveys have been conducted regarding stress and its effect on people during the holidays. One Opinion Research Survey found that half of the women who responded said they experience more stress during the holidays, while a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association found that one in five believe that holiday stress actually affects their physical health.

A study was conducted on the effects of stress on both men and women by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. It was found that, while men meet stress with a fight-or-flight response, women generally respond with what has been called tend-and-befriend. Women instinctively begin to nurture those around them and become more social, often heaping upon themselves more responsibilities, causing a cycle of stress. The holidays become a recipe for stress related fatigue and anxiety, especially for women.

The professor of family studies at Kansas State University, Tony Jurich, explains that the main cause of holiday related stress is unrealistic expectations. Women feel pressured to duplicate either past holiday experiences or what is portrayed as ideal in the media. He says that the beginning of overcoming the stress is to put aside those expectations, whether they originated with that individual or were put upon them by a spouse, children, relatives, or friends. Another expert who has studied the affect of stress on the human body, Dr. Edward Creagan, says to be especially aware during the holiday season of the signs of stress, which include irritability, fatigue, sleep disorders, indulgent eating, loss of enthusiasm and feelings of detachment and angst.

References

http://sev.prnewswire.com/health-care-hospitals/20071204/NYFNSJ0604122007-1.html
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/535729/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071119170133.htm
http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/health/2007/11/19/stress-holiday-health-forbeslife-cx_rr_1020health.html