LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – Holiday stress can be more than just exhausting; it can also lead to serious health issues. Healthcare professionals say learning how to manage holiday stress can prevent an emergency room visit.
Many parents know the night before Christmas isn’t always magical. Jackson resident Libby Lounds remembers the challenges.
“When they were little, it was late nights putting together Barbie houses and Playmobile sets. I remember one night we were up until probably 2 o’clock in the morning,” said Lounds.
The holidays can bring joy but also financial pressure, family tension and other stress. Even seemingly minor stressors can add up and ignoring them could lead to emergency room visits.
“Holidays can affect our heart health. Especially in patients who already have a heart condition or patients who have risk factors for heart disease, like high blood pressure or high cholesterol or patients who have rhythm issues,” said Dr. Ibrahim Shah, an Interventional cardiologist at McLaren Hospital.
Dr. Shah calls it ‘holiday heart syndrome.’ And says stress can cause several symptoms, such as:
Irregular heart rhythmIncreased heart rateSwelling of anklesChest heavinessSudden shortness of breath Sudden or excessive fatigueLightheadedness or Dizziness
But there are ways to reduce the risk.
“Deep breathing exercises, meditation or prayer, just 5-10 minutes a day… Also, exercise as well… will reduce the stress hormones to the level that it would not affect our heart negatively,” said Shah.
Rosemary Pavlik has hosted her family’s holiday parties for years, until passing the torch to her son. She says planning ahead helps her avoid anxiety.
“Plan it well, in advance, so you’re not stressed at the last minute. And that’s what I have always tried to do. And it works,” said Pavlik.
She says the holidays are not about perfection. They’re about spending time with loved ones.
“I’m not having much stress because I’m looking at the fun part of it, being with my family, which I love dearly,” said Pavlik.
If you begin to have symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest discomfort, Dr. Shah advises you to visit the emergency room to rule out any serious conditions like a heart attack.
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