Office Visit: Avoiding Stress During the Holidays

Office Visit: Avoiding Stress During the Holidays

By Todd Hoffman, M.D.

During the excitement, hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it's easy to forget this time of year is not exciting and cheerful for everyone. The combination of family gatherings, winter weather and financial pressure can be too much stress for some to bear.

Stress is a small word with a big impact. It can affect our mood, as well as our health and behavior. Stress is a condition often described as physical or emotional tension, and the brain has a built-in alarm system that tells our body to release a surge of hormones to respond to a perceived fear or threat.

Finding ways to reduce stress can improve your health, productivity and morale. We can't live in a stress-free world, so let's do our part to help manage stress for ourselves, our family and coworkers.

Let's make it a good month.

Todd Hoffman, M.D., C.P.E., is chief medical officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, a division of Health Care Service Corp., a Mutual Legal Reserve Company.

Emotions such as fear, sadness or other symptoms of depression are normal, as long as they are temporary and don't interfere with daily activities or change your normal behavior. If you find yourself unable to maintain your regular routine or activities, I recommend you discuss your situation with your doctor.

Listening to your body and managing your health are two great ways relieve stress. Additionally, eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise can help reduce stress levels. For a list of common reactions to stress and healthy ways to cope, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

It's important that we are aware of the signs and symptoms of stress.