Quiz: Handle seasonal stress for better mental, physical health
Published: Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 8:24 a.m. Last
Modified: Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 8:24 a.m. Most of us
battle stress year-round, but the revved-up, overburdened, not-
so-jolly holiday variety can make even the cheeriest of souls
feel downright Grinchy about now. Between the crowds at the
mall, the ever-growing to-do list at home and the unrealistic
expectations of family, friends and employers, stress can wind
up as the one present everybody gets but no one wants. And like
the much-maligned fruitcake, more is never better. Stress not
only affects our mood but our physical health as well. So what
to do about it all? It’s tempting to push through this seasonal
stress by making use of plentiful reinforcements of sugar,
caffeine and carbohydrates. But bypassing moderation in favor of
holiday overload often just makes the situation worse. “By
turning to food, you’re actually adding more stress — the
disappointment, guilt associated wi