Stress, drinking and car accidents during the holiday season

The holidays can be extremely stressful for some people. While most hope to spend the holidays relaxing in front of a fire, that is not always how it turns out. Many individuals are out running around trying to get presents, planning holiday parties and attending work events. There is a lot to get done and a lot of people to see.

Combine all these activities and the cold weather and you often end up with a variety of ailments. There are some pretty typical ways that people can hurt their health during the holidays. These ailments can even result in unfortunate consequences for others.

A typical health problem over the holidays is weight gain. It’s not uncommon for people to become more sedentary and to eat more food (especially sweets) during the holiday season. This can lead to overeating and eventual weight gain.

Another behavior that peaks during the holidays is alcohol intake. While this isn’t technically a problem, it can definitely lead to a problem. Drinking too much can send someone to the hospital. It can also result in risky behaviors, such as drunk driving, which can negatively affect the life of the driver and any victims involved.

It’s also important to reduce your stress level. About seven out of 10 people say they feel stressed and overwhelmed during the holidays. This stress, along with a lack of sleep, can be very hard on the body.

When you consider all the above, it’s easy to understand why there are so many accidents during the holiday season. There are some 15,000 holiday-related accidents that happen each year with at least 12,000 individuals ending up in the emergency room. Common accidents include car accidents and slip and fall accidents.

While no one wants to place blame during the holiday season, if you are involved in an accident during the holiday season that was caused by another person’s negligence, it may be a good idea to contact a lawyer.