Holiday Stress & Visits to the ER

The holidays can be a fun, exciting, and joyous time for many; but they can also be a stressful time for others. From overspending to juggling schedules and managing expectations, trying to keep it all together can do harm to your health if you're not careful.

For instance, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are roughly 76 million causes of food poisoning that occur during the holiday season.

Another reason you might take a trip to the ER during the holidays is because of the decorations. Even though decorating the Christmas tree and putting up festive lights in your yard can put you in the holiday spirit, doing so can pose some serious danger if not done safely.

You may want to consider using non-breakable ornaments, make sure your large tree is secure, and if you have little ones, it may be wise to put up a gate that blocks the entrance to the room where the tree is in order to keep them from trying to grab (or climb up) the tree.

Even though these are all examples of how your holiday can turn into an ER nightmare, the most common reason people land in the ER is because of stress. Stress can lead to overeating and excessive drinking and can spike your blood pressure... which could increase your risk for a heart attack or other drastic health issues.

What are some tips to stay healthy and stress-free during the holidays?

One thing you might do without realizing it is over-scheduling yourself and your family members. Even though you may be trying to please everyone, sometimes you just have to say NO. You may also want to dedicate time for yourself during the holiday season. Exercise can help reduce tons of stress and help boost your mood as well.

What else can you do to help lower your stress during the holidays?

Dr. James Williams discusses what physicians see in the ER this time of year, as well as some advice to help you ease potential problems.