Is there very little white space on your calendar from the end of November through the first week of January? From attending holiday concerts and cocktail parties to booking hair appointments, buying gifts, and ordering the holiday feast, do you feel overwhelmed? Does your throat constrict and heart race when you think of all the preparation required for the most wonderful time of the year?
Whether it’s a car swerving into your lane on U.S. 41 or reviewing a daunting to-do list, the reaction in the body is similar. According to the Mayo Clinic, when humans encounter threats—or even minor hassles—the hypothalamus, a tiny region at the base of the brain, prompts the adrenal glands to release a surge of hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol. This is a normal human
