More than half of American adults surveyed this year say the 2016 presidential election has been a major source of stress that will continue on through inauguration in mid-January. Our guest on Late Night Health, Dr. Ken Redcross, a specialist in internal medicine, says in addition to being bombarded with news, gossip and unrealistic deadlines at every turn, the holiday season will bring plenty more to stress about. These stressors include annual office and family holiday parties, an influx of foods we rarely eat and the financial stress of making it through to the new year.

Dr. Ken Redcross shares with Late Night host, Mark Alyn, that short-term stress can make you more susceptible to illness, but chronic stress can be the source of major diseases including colds and infections, heart problems and coronary diseases, diabetes, obesity, depression and chronic fatigue syndrome. He says that if stress is indeed the cause, many of these potentially life-threatening diseases can be avoided in less than 15 minutes a day by adding some simple self-care, stress reduction makeovers to your daily routine.

At the onset of any anxiety, Redcross says creating your own personal self-care system can significantly reduce the cycle of chronic stress and give you a boost of relief when you need it the most. Tune in to Mark Alyn to learn more!

air date: 12/23/16