Carol Zuniga, MS, LLP, CEO of Hegira Health, Inc.
November 2024
We all know the holiday season brings increased stress. How we view it, prepare for it and manage it, can make all the difference between memories of a fun-filled, warm holiday season and waiting anxiously for it all to be over.
Seeing the sparkle of garland next to the Halloween costumes always makes me cringe just a little. As much as I have mostly good memories of holidays gone by, it’s hard to not think about the challenges of the season—expenses, time burdens, pressures for that perfect gift or perfect meal, travel, coping with the loss of those that won’t be around the table this year. I know I am not alone.
A survey conducted by Healthline in 2015 found that 62% of people described their stress level as “very or somewhat” elevated during the holidays. Respondents to the survey noted, not surprisingly, that the financial demands of the holidays, the interpersonal dynamics of family, and maintaining personal healthy habits such as a stable diet and exercise, fueled higher stress levels.
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About the author
Carol Zuniga, MS, LLP, CEO of Hegira Health, Inc. is a licensed psychologist with more than 30 years’ experience in the healthcare industry. Hegira Health, Inc., is a leading provider of behavioral healthcare services with clinic locations in Western Wayne and the Downriver communities. Visit www.hegirahealth.org.