The holiday season is known for bringing people together. But some people experience deep psychological stress as a result of holiday activities. Holiday stress can drive people to drink too much, eat too much, eat the wrong foods, keep unusual hours, stifle feelings, alter their routines, and generally fail to take care of themselves. Understanding some of the pitfalls of the holiday experience can lead to effective defense strategies.
Many people overeat during the holiday season.
Let's face it, food is a major focus of the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Everybody brings it, cooks it, and is expected to eat it. It is often considered rude to not partake of the repast, to eat only small portions, or to avoid eating a dish a family member or friend of the family has prepared. Other people use the shrunken-stomach method, starving themselves for 24 hours prior to the meal. But when dessert rolls around, they have an obligation to try a bite of everything.