The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes an all-too-familiar companion for many: stress. For those feeling the weight of the season, experts at AllHealth Network and Arapahoe County Public Health have some advice. Jennifer Morris, a Disaster Coordinator and Licensed Therapist with AllHealth Network, acknowledged the collective burden when she told Arapahoe County, "The world feels heavy right now and it’s stressful."
Reasons for the spike in stress levels during December are varied, with financial concerns due to the cost of travel gifts, food, compounded by recent economic downturns like government shutdowns and furloughs, and job insecurity merely intensifying the pressure, according to local health professionals. On top of that, the end of the year brings about work and school deadlines along with a packed social calendar and the challenges of maintaining routine amidst it all. Family gatherings, although joyful, also present potential for conflict; these stressors can manifest in physical symptoms, including irritability, trouble sleeping, and difficulty concentrating.
Dellena Aguilar, a Licensed Psychologist and Vice President of Organizational Development with STRIDE Community Health Center, which offers integrated medical, dental, and mental health care, emphasized that stress shouldn't be stigmatized since it's a common experience, calling attention to anxiety and depression as prevalent issues that affect up to 85% of patients, as reported by Arapahoe County. Danielle Burchett, a nurse practitioner with Arapahoe County Public Health, explained that stress can affect not only the immune system and blood pressure but also how individuals communicate and handle life's fluctuations.
