Stress and the Holidays

It's the holiday season, and are we having fun yet?  I hope everyone answered yes.  Now if I asked are you feeling the stress of the holidays, especially with how quickly it seems to have caught up with us?  Would you again answer yes?  I can tell you with my own personal poll, the majority of people answer with an emphatic YES!  Who makes the holidays stressful?  How does it affect our body?  How can I get rid of it?  All great questions. 

In this Blog, I am going to answer the first question, "Who makes the holidays stressful?"  The answer is as simple as looking into the mirror.  We do of course.  Now many of you may argue that the stress if from external sources, that are plotting for your demise.  I assure you, though you have only limited control over external stressors, the person that controls how they affect your life is ultimately you.

Realize that stress comes in many forms.  There are physical, chemical, emotional and even spiritual stressors.  We play the lead role in how they affect us, and it starts with your thinking, your perception.

I once heard that  FEAR stands for False Evidence Appearing Real, and that 95% of the time the things that we fear, never happen.  Of the 5% that does, it is rarely as bad as we expect.  Our imaginations are amazing when it comes to making mountains out of molehills.  Why do we always visualize the worst possible scenario?

So, how can I apply this to my life, and the upcoming holidays?  Simply this, check yourself first.  See how you respond to different people and situations.  Are there family issues at play, are there too many 'cheats' to your diet, and is alcohol poisoning your judgment?  Ask yourself the question, "Is the way that I am acting/feeling right now creating an undesired level of stress or anxiety?"  If so, then change your mind and change your response.  Make the choice to focus on the good and love if possible, before condemning.  Again, how does a negative emotion affect you?


When we look at the body, stress on the nervous system adversely affects how information is transmitted and processed.  A somatovisceral response is one that creates problems with our organ systems, when the body has been damaged or stressed.  As a chiropractor, we detect areas of stress in the spine, reduce and eliminate them, so the body can heal itself and function at it's optimal level.

With regards to the holidays, what is the purpose of Thanksgiving?  Isn't it to give thanks for all of your blessings, challenges and opportunities throughout the year, much like the Pilgrims did 389 years ago.  Really try entering into this season with the feeling of love and thanks.  Robin Sharma authored a great book, Who Will Cry When You Die.  The underlying theme is to live your life to the fullest, not getting stuck on things that are out of your control, and live today the best you can.  You can only do so much, beyond that, WHO CARES!  If you don't, then does it really matter?  Give yourself a break, say something positive to yourself, and move on.  After all, we are not guaranteed another day, let alone another Thanksgiving Day. 

In closing remember the old saying, "The past is yesterday, and it cannot be changed.  The future is tomorrow, and we are not guaranteed that there will be one.  Today is the present, and it is a gift from God!"

Have a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving.

-Dr. Clare