The holiday season is upon us, and while it means festive lights and holiday music, it also means a whole lot of stress.

The winter months are considered the most stressful times of the year. The rapid change in temperature, shorter days and demands of the holidays take a massive toll on our bodies and minds.

In addition to the annual stress, you may experience physical symptoms such as…

Anxiety and Depression

Stress often activates the “fight or flight” response in our brains. Your heart rate rises and adrenaline starts pumping through your veins. Some people experience this multiple times a day during the stressful months, and the constant cycle of feeling on edge and then coming down from the adrenaline rush lead to serious mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression.

Heart Failure

Stressed people often indulge in unhealthy eating habits; combine fatty foods with an overworked heart and it’s no surprise that stress commonly leads to cardiac arrest.

Weakened Immune Defenses

During stressful periods, the immune system rallies its defenses and starts mass producing cortisol to protect the body from any potential threats. When there isn’t a threat to defend against, that extra cortisol floats around your system and can actually start inhibiting your immune systems response to actual threats.

An excess of cortisol is the main reason stressed people get sick easier and have a more difficult time recovering from illnesses.

Do your best to not give in to stress. There are a variety of methods that can help you stay calm even during your busiest, most stressful times.

For additional help for coping with stress, come see us at Mountain Peaks Family Practice.