According to Neuroscience Expert, Dr. Patrick Porter, managing this stress is imperative, especially in the age of COVID-19.

Celebrating During COVID.

Although our celebrations will be very different this year, there is one part of the festive season that has not changed: Holiday Stress. People around the globe are still taking on a dizzying array of seasonal demands like shopping for gifts, baking cookies, and decorating.

This year they now have the added stress of navigating the holidays in the age of COVID-19. (And in 2020, more stress is the last thing anyone needs.) We have come to accept festive stress as part of the holiday season – much to the detriment of our wellness and our brain health.

According to Neuroscience Expert, Dr. Patrick Porter, managing this stress is imperative, especially in the age of COVID-19.

“Your emotional wellbeing plays a major role in your ability to maintain good physical health. Stress takes a toll on your mind as well as your body…”

…says Dr. Porter, who has devoted his career to researching the brain, mental wellness, and cognitive functioning. According to Dr. Porter, emotional stress can trigger a host of health problems. The physical response involves your immune system, your heart and blood vessels, and how certain glands in your body secrete hormones. After the holidays, people feel mentally, physically, and emotionally drained. And it’s totally understandable, this time of year has a lot of moving parts.

“Fortunately, there are many things you can do to deactivate the body’s stress response. Since we know this stress is coming, we can ready our brains for it. To do this we must shift our cognitive strategies to respond to the changes in our environment…”

…says Dr. Porter. So how can we shift our cognitive strategies? According to Dr. Porter, simply being mindful of your emotions is the first step. Actively observing your own thoughts and feelings helps you better understand where the stress is coming from so you can manage it more effectively. Mindfulness activities like meditating and journaling can help. Making sleep a priority is also key. Our bodies and brains repair themselves during our sleep cycles. When the quality or quantity of our sleep is poor, we miss out on the restoration process. We are less focused, less resilient, and we have fewer internal resources for managing stress and anxiety.

Remember, a little mindfulness and self-care go a long way. The holidays are meant to be a joyful time but if you are stressed and miserable, no one wins. It’s vital to include yourself in the season of giving. Carving out time for self-care prevents burnout and makes for a happier healthier holiday.

“Fortunately, there are many things you can do to deactivate the body’s stress response. Since we know this stress is coming, we can ready our brain for it. To do this we must shift our cognitive strategies to respond to the changes in our environment.“

– Dr. Patrick Porter

In An Interview/Article, Dr. Porter Can Share:

• Coping with Holiday Stress in the Age of COVID-19
• The Emotional Toll of 2020
• What Stress & Anxiety Does to Your Brain and Your Health
• How to Train Your Brain to Tame Stress (from Holiday Anxiety & COVID Concerns to Political PTSD)
• Try-at-Home Mental Wellness Tips for People of all Ages
• 5 Ways You Can Counteract Stress & Support Your Brain Health This Holiday Season
• 7 Ways to Stay Productive When You’re Stressed
• How to Reframe Anxiety & Channel It Into Motivation & Productivity

Dr. Porter is sharing tips and actionable advice people can use to tame festive stress, reduce symptoms of anxiety, and improve mental and physical wellness this holiday season.