General wellnessPreventive careStress relief

How to avoid the top 8 holiday health hazards

Don’t let holiday activities and stress put a damper on your spirit this time of year—learn how to prevent eight common holiday health risks.

Jan, 2026
LearnHoliday stressHow to avoid the top 8 holiday health hazards
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Stress overload
Spikes in chronic disease
House fires
Football fouls
Scalds and burns
Car accidents
Too much alcohol

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The weather is turning colder, and the holiday season is heating up. We don’t want to sound like the Grinch, but even innocent activities this time of year—like cooking, decorating and shopping ’til you drop—can lead to injuries, elevated stress and other cheer-zapping health problems. We asked doctors around the country about the top holiday health risks and how to avoid them.

Written byOlivia DeLong.
Medically reviewed byAnn Wendling, MD, MPH.September, 2023

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