Why the holidays can be hard on your health—and how to stay safe
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! And indeed, the holiday season is here. Festivities are just around the corner, and while merry-making will fill each one’s holiday calendar, minding one’s health must not take a backseat.
Here are the three most common health risks to watch out for during the holidays, according to recent studies. These include elevated stress and its impact on mental and physical health, increased risk of cardiac events, including heart attacks and “holiday heart syndrome,” and a surge in respiratory virus transmissions.
Stress and mental health
The holiday season can be a particularly stressful time for many. In 2025, 41% of U.S. adults expected more holiday-related stress than the previous year, a sharp rise from 28% in 2024 and 29% in 2023, according to a recent APA Healthy Minds Poll. Stress tends to affect younger adults the most, with nearly half (49%) of those aged 18 to 34 reporting elevated stress, compared to just 27% of adults over 65.
A 2024 Holiday Stress Survey by Sleepopolis found that this surge in stress can take a toll on mental health: 37.5% of respondents said their mental well-being worsens during the holidays, while only 12.6% felt an improvement. Persistent stress may contribute to serious health problems such as high blood pressure, weakened immunity, and depression. Financial pressures remain a leading cause, affecting 37.4% of adults, down from 48% the year before, yet only 35% actually plan and budget for holiday spending. Other common stressors include family dynamics (16.7%) and disrupted routines (8.3%).
Interestingly, some studies show a slight easing in anxiety and depression: in 2024, 36% of adults reported higher anxiety (declining from 52% in 2023) and 28% reported higher depression (dropping from 41% in 2023). Still, a survey by the telemedicine platform Sesame found that 62% of Americans feel moderately to extremely stressed during the holidays. Social interactions themselves can add to the strain. Sesame’s survey highlighted that nearly 60% of Americans worry about politically charged conversations at gatherings.
With this year’s heightened geopolitical and economic tensions, it’s more important than ever to steer holiday conversations toward light and cheerful topics, keeping in tune with the spirit of the season.
Cardiac events
Preparations during holiday celebrations can indeed be stressful, and this is also the time of year when many indulge in high-salt, high-sugar, and high-fat foods without guilt. It is no surprise, then, that the holiday season is linked to a notable rise in cardiac events, including heart attacks and “holiday heart syndrome.” Research cited by the American Heart Association (AHA) in the Circulation journal consistently shows that heart attacks peak on Christmas Day, the day after Christmas, and New Year’s Day. According to the AHA, cardiac mortality is higher around these holidays than at any other time, with heart attack deaths rising by 37% on Christmas Eve, peaking at 10 p.m., and most commonly affecting people over 75 or those with pre-existing conditions.
Several factors contribute to the holiday rise in cardiac events. Stress from planning, travel, and family dynamics can raise blood pressure and heart rate, according to Dr. Sarah Spelsberg in her 2024 UNC Health article. Overindulgence in salty, sugary, and fatty foods strains the heart, especially in those with pre-existing conditions. Excessive alcohol can cause dehydration, disrupt heart rhythms, and trigger “holiday heart syndrome”, most commonly atrial fibrillation (AFib), with more than two drinks in four hours increasing AFib risk over 3.5 times.
Colder temperatures also pose a risk by constricting blood vessels, raising blood pressure, and forcing the heart to work harder. Activities such as shoveling snow can further amplify these dangers. Finally, delayed medical care during the holidays, whether due to attributing symptoms to stress or overeating, or avoiding disruptions to festivities, can worsen outcomes for those experiencing cardiac events.
Respiratory virus transmission
It is no coincidence that the Covid -19 surge in 2019 followed the Chinese New Year and other celebrations at the time. Generally, the holiday season brings increased social contact, indoor gatherings, minimal social distancing, dry air, and sometimes shared food—all conditions conducive to the spread of respiratory viruses. Inadequate immunization may also contribute to rising respiratory cases.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends staying up to date with all recommended immunizations. Other strategies advised by the CDC include practicing good hygiene, such as regular handwashing and cleaning frequently touched surfaces; ensuring clean air in areas where people live and work; taking precautions when sick by staying home and avoiding contact with others; and seeking medical care as needed. Additionally, wearing masks, maintaining physical distancing, and, most importantly, keeping one’s immunity strong help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses.
Category: Top Story, Wellness and Complementary Therapies
