By:Dr. Harley Martinmaas

What do most people look forward to this time of year? The joy of spending time with family and friends during the holidays. For most people, it’s the most wonderful time of the year, for some not so much. The holidays are fun and exciting, but also exhausting and stressful.  

The holiday season starts right after Halloween and goes until the end of year. There are so many things going on in between. Besides the busy schedule, figuring out how to pay for all the food and gifts is frustrating. We set so many expectations for how we think everything should go, that we spend too much time worrying about how to make everything perfect. For some just the thought of spending time with their family gives them anxiety. Unfortunately, this year all the typical stress will be magnified with COVID. 

All this talk of stress but what it is?  The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as a physical, chemical, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension and can cause disease. Our bodies are designed to be able to handle stress. It’s a problem when we are constantly in a reactive or fight or flight state. We aren’t able to relax like we need to. This can lead to physical symptoms like headaches, high blood pressure, upset stomach, chest pain, and sleeping problems. This also affects us mentally with panic attacks and depression. When we are stuck in this state, it can lead to disease and sickness. Don’t let this happen to you. 

There are some things you can do now to prepare for the upcoming stress: 

• Start planning now so you ready 

• Sit down with your finances and make a budget 

• Get yourself ready by exercising and eating healthier 

If you need some help talk to someone: a friend, a family member, or a professional. As a chiropractor, I help people with handling the stress they have on a daily basis. During the busy season, make sure you are taking time to relax. Find something you like to do like read a book, get a massage, or watch those lifetime movies you love.