Blog Posts

True or False: Holiday Health Myths

November 29 | 2 mins

The holidays are here, and something that’s on a lot of people’s minds is food and health. Does turkey actually make you sleepy? Does sugar make kids hyper? Are the holidays really the most stressful time of the year?

We sat down with Healthcare2U’s co-founder and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. John Rodriguez, to ask him if he thinks these holiday health “myths” are true or false.

Turkey makes you sleepy- FALSE

We’ve heard this theory numerous times, but it is, in fact, false. Tryptophan, the chemical in turkey that people are referring to that causes sleepiness, doesn’t make you sleepy on its own. What does make you sleepy, however, is when you eat foods that contain this chemical and a large number of carbohydrates. This includes carb-heavy foods like bread, desserts, potatoes, etc. So no, you won’t fall asleep if you eat turkey on its own, but if you add a whole Thanksgiving meal on top of it, you might need a nap!

Sugar makes kids extra hyper- FALSE

Research shows that while some people may believe children experience a “sugar rush” where they become hyperactive, studies show that is not the case. Doctors have surmised that the extra energy is due to emotions of excitement, not from extra sugar in their system. Having said that, it is still not advised to give children large amounts of sugar at once, as it isn’t healthy!

The holidays are the most stressful time of the year- TRUE

Unfortunately, this myth is very true. Most American adults – 74 percent – say that Christmas is stressful, and 55 percent say it is the most stressful holiday of the year. A large percentage of the stress is due to the extra money spent, preparing one’s home for guests, and spending time with family.

Here are some suggestions for people who find themselves stressed around the holidays:
  • Make sure you’re planning ahead and keeping everything organized, as the holidays can easily become chaotic, and that adds to the stress.
  • Keep track of holiday spending- overspending is a large part of holiday stress.
  • Take time for yourself. Take some deep breaths and maybe do a hobby that you enjoy to take your mind off any stress you might be experiencing.
  • Ask for help if you need it!
  • Limit your drinking. While some people drink around the holidays to help relieve stress, it can make it worse.

Were you surprised by any of these myths? We hope you enjoyed us debunking some classic holiday health myths, and if you’re interested in learning more about how to manage holiday stress, check out our blog from the last holiday season or a WAFB-9 News interview Dr. Rodriguez was featured in.

share this post

Other Posts You Might Like

  • Blog Posts

    Finding the Right Coverage with Healthcare Brokers
    November 11 | 6 mins

  • Blog Posts

    What Brokers Need to Know About Direct Primary Care: Essential Insights
    November 11 | 5 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Uncategorized

    How Insurance Brokers Can Integrate DPC Into a Plan Design
    October 28 | 5 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Uncategorized

    Discover the Benefits of Direct Primary Care for Your Health
    October 28 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    How Much Does Concierge Medicine Cost?
    October 28 | 5 mins

  • Blog Posts

    How Direct Primary Care Benefits Healthcare Brokers: Key Advantages Explained
    October 28 | 5 mins

  • Blog Posts

    How Does Concierge Medicine Work with Insurance? What You Need to Know
    October 14 | 5 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Direct Primary Care as an Employer Health Plan Strategy: The Benefits and Solutions
    October 14 | 4 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Videos

    Mental Illness Awareness with Dr. John Rodriguez
    October 10 | < 1 min

  • Blog Posts

    Is Direct Primary Care Membership the New Approach to Healthcare?
    September 20 | 4 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Direct Primary Care vs. Concierge Medicine: Understanding the Differences
    September 4 | 5 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Take Charge of Your Healthcare with My Direct Primary Care plus
    August 23 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    News

    Uncategorized

    Healthcare2U’s Dr. John Rodriguez Talks DPC on Dr. Daliah Podcast
    July 3 | < 1 min

  • Blog Posts

    News

    Healthcare2U’s Andy Bonner Joins the Benefits Ally 3x3x3 Challenge to Talk DPC
    July 2 | < 1 min

  • Blog Posts

    Ask Dr. John Rodriguez – Men’s Health Awareness
    June 28 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    News

    Grow your Revenue with Healthcare2U’s Nationwide Direct Primary Care: A Win-Win for Advisors and Employers in California
    June 6 | 4 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Mining Your Existing In-Force Block Increases Revenue
    February 28 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Why Healthcare Costs Continue to Increase in the U.S.
    January 22 | 4 mins

  • Blog Posts

    True or False: Holiday Health Myths
    November 29 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Ask Dr. John Part 3 – A Physician’s Journey into Direct Primary Care
    November 2 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Ask Dr. John Part 2 – The Struggles Physicians Face While Working in a Traditional Care Model
    November 2 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    One Size Fits All Health Insurance Plans Are Failing Your Employer Groups. Here’s Why.
    October 13 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Ask Dr. John Part 1 – The Benefits of Working with a Direct Primary Care Model
    September 29 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Better Benefits Education Means Smarter Healthcare Utilization
    September 22 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Leveraging Technology to Improve the Patient Experience
    August 25 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Traveling this Summer? Take Your Healthcare with You
    July 10 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    The Warning Signs for Skin Cancer and How to Prevent It
    May 17 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Colon Cancer is on the Rise in Young People – What to Know and When You Should Get Tested
    April 27 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Why Fad Diets Can Be Dangerous, and How to Spot Them
    April 25 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Analyzing the Cost of Chronic Diseases and Their Effect on Employers
    April 11 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Wake Up and Workout – Why Morning Exercise is Better for You
    March 21 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Five Large Contributions Women Made in Healthcare
    March 7 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Why Annual Physicals Are a Vital Preventative Care Element
    March 1 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Investing in Employee Benefits Education is Beneficial to Both Employees and Employers
    January 30 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Health Benefits Education and Direct Primary Care Can Lower Costs for Self-Funded Groups
    January 30 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Americans are Five Times More Likely to Experience Increased Stress Levels During the Holidays
    December 20 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    How Benefit Design Can Help Employers Remain Competitive
    December 7 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Prediabetes: When to Worry About the Precursor to Diabetes
    November 17 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    An Affordable Healthcare Alternative for Non-Benefited Employees
    April 25 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Direct Primary Care is a Win for Brokers, Employers, and Employees
    February 22 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    A New Healthcare Offering for Uninsured Children
    February 18 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Hope for Escalating Healthcare Costs
    February 18 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Give Employers an Affordable Complement to HDHPs
    February 18 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    DPC: A No-Claims Approach to Essential Primary Care
    February 11 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    What Employees Really Want in a Job
    January 31 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Solutions to Alleviate Financial Worries in Healthcare
    January 24 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    DPC Addresses Cumulative Effects of Inflation and Escalating Health Insurance Costs
    January 17 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Addressing Healthcare Deserts with Affordable Solutions
    January 10 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    A New Approach to Customized Benefits
    January 3 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Employee Well-Being is the New Normal
    December 6 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    The U.S. Ranks Last in Healthcare Equity and Affordability Among High-Income Nations
    November 17 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Diabetes Awareness Can Save Lives [Affordable Access to Healthcare Can Help Detect, Treat and Manage Chronic Diseases Such as Diabetes]
    November 8 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Benefits as a Recruitment Strategy [Cost-Effective Solutions Such As Direct Primary Care Provide Customizable Benefits]
    September 20 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    The Importance of Health Screenings [Direct Primary Care Memberships Provide Access to Routine Healthcare]
    September 15 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Helping Employees Understand Their Benefits
    September 2 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    The Consequences of Delaying Medical Care
    August 18 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Major Shifts in Healthcare [Implementing Long-Term Strategies for Telemedicine and Virtual Care]
    August 4 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Why Millennials Ignore Health Issues
    July 19 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Anti-Aging Secrets: An Unexpected Benefit of Primary Care?
    July 2 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Creative Healthcare Solutions for States with the Least Coverage
    June 23 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Three Overlooked Groups Looking for Innovative Healthcare Solutions [How Direct Primary Care Can Address Their Needs]
    June 15 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Data-Driven Insights for Building Better Health Plans
    June 9 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    DPC Practices Seek to End Disparities in Healthcare
    May 27 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    The Relationship Between Physical Health and Mental Health [How to Promote Better Physical and Mental Wellbeing]
    May 19 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Primary Care Counteracts the Negative Impact of Poor Economic Conditions on Health
    April 27 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Two Accelerating Contributors to Health Inequity [How Medication Insecurity and Healthcare Homelessness Calls for Better Access to Primary Medical Care]
    April 22 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Health Plan Design is a Strategic Business Decision
    April 1 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Increased Demand for Virtual Healthcare Going Forward
    March 19 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Chronic Disease Management Provides Big ROI
    March 10 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Be Prepared for the New Normal Through the Power of Partnerships
    March 2 | 4 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Looking into Healthcare’s Crystal Ball – The Present and Future of Direct Primary Care
    February 19 | 4 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Affordable Healthcare Alternatives Can Minimize the Fallout from COVID
    February 12 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Affordable Healthcare and Financial Literacy for Millennials [How Direct Primary Care Delivers the On-Demand Healthcare Experience that Millennials Want]
    February 3 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Direct Primary Care Helps Address Healthcare Inequality for Children [Accessible and Unlimited Primary Care]
    January 26 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Role of Direct Primary Care in Healthcare Equality [How Affordable and convenient care isn’t just a tagline]
    January 21 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    The Small Businesses Healthcare Revolution
    December 7 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    3 Reasons You Should Be Having as Much Fun as Possible
    November 2 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Nextgen Solutions to Keep Families Healthy
    September 28 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    The Future of Primary Care [ How the Primary Care Landscape is Adapting to a Mobile Workforce ]
    September 25 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    The ABCs of DPC – The Building Blocks of Healthcare [ What is Direct Primary Care and Why is it Important? ]
    September 22 | 4 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Caregiver Burnout: Tips for Self-Care [How to care for yourself so you can care for others]
    September 14 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Optimal Cholesterol Levels Help Maintain Optimal Health
    August 28 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Celebrating Women’s Contributions to Healthcare
    August 20 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Healthcare for the Service Sector
    August 6 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Prepare for a New Normal
    July 30 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Tips for a Happy and Healthy Summer
    July 24 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    A Solution for Disparities in Healthcare
    July 17 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    3 Ways Artificial Intelligence is Changing Healthcare
    July 8 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Prevention is the Best Strategy for Chronic Disease
    July 6 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Healthcare2U Launches Redesigned Website to Better Support Brokers, Employers and Members
    June 26 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Doctors Love Direct Primary Care
    June 16 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Is There Such a Thing as Balance?
    May 29 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Men Visit the Doctor Less Than Women
    May 12 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Hidden Causes of Hypertension
    May 12 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Solutions for Anxiety and Depression
    May 12 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    The Importance of Primary Care
    May 12 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    DPC Will Be Crucial for Health Plans Going Forward
    May 6 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Tips to Stay Fit at Home
    April 29 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    The Connection Between Health and Friendship
    April 20 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Stress Relief in Times of Uncertainty
    April 14 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    3 Powerful Ways to Boost Your Immune System
    April 1 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    COVID-19: Tips to Stay Safe and Healthy
    March 25 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    How Employee Burnout Increases Healthcare Costs
    March 25 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Coronavirus: Stay Calm and Aware, But Don’t Panic
    March 25 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    The Link Between Technology and Depression
    March 25 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Finding Solutions for Surprise Medical Billing
    March 25 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    3 Ways Love Can Improve Your Health
    March 25 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    How Physical Fitness Benefits Mental Health
    March 25 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Tips for a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season
    March 25 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Five Ways to Reduce The Risk of Back Pain
    March 25 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Five Factors Contributing to Childhood Obesity
    March 25 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Five Things Employers Should Consider When Looking for a Direct Primary Care Provider
    March 25 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    National Women’s History Month: Five Influential Women in Medicine
    March 11 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Heart Failure Awareness Week
    February 11 | < 1 min

  • Blog Posts

    Our Hearts are Healthier Together
    February 5 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Employers Seek Alternative Solutions to Solve Rising Benefit Plan Costs
    January 28 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    The Real Impact of Chronic Diseases in America
    January 21 | 4 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Conquering Your New Year’s Resolutions
    December 20 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Winter Wellness
    December 20 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Employer Provided Healthcare Isn’t Making the Cut
    December 20 | < 1 min

  • Blog Posts

    Breast Cancer Research: The Breakthroughs of Today for Those Diagnosed Tomorrow
    October 24 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Breast Cancer Facts and Myths
    October 10 | < 1 min

  • Blog Posts

    Fighting a Killer
    September 28 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    7 Ways to Celebrate Women’s Health & Fitness Day
    September 26 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    The Fight Against Childhood Obesity
    September 10 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Five Tips to Prepare for a Healthier School Year
    August 22 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Sticking to a Healthy Eating Plan over the Holidays and into the New Year
    November 29 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Focus on Diabetes – Preventing a Killer
    November 1 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Direct Primary Care Delivering Lower Costs, Better Patient Experience
    October 12 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Savings 101: Healthcare strategies for self-funded companies
    September 12 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    Embarking on a Path to Health and Wellness
    August 22 | 3 mins

  • Blog Posts

    The Rise of Telemedicine
    July 25 | 2 mins

  • Blog Posts

    What is a Healthcare Advocate?
    October 7 | 2 mins

    • CONTACT US

    BECOME A PART OF THE SOLUTION

    Redefine the healthcare experience with No-Claims Healthcare™

    Contact us