Stressful situations are likely to result in an increased occurrence of gastrointestinal (GI) issues for women who take charge during the holidays, according to new research.
“Your gut literally feels the weight of the season," Oshi Health executive medical director and gastroenterologist Treta Purohit said. "For many women, especially the 'Holiday CEOs' who do it all — planning, cooking, hosting, remembering every detail — that invisible labor isn't just exhausting, it can trigger real digestive symptoms.”
The study involved a sample size of 2,504 adults who were surveyed online between Sept. 26 and Sept. 30.
One in five women, or 20 percent overall, identify as "holiday CEOs" who are responsible for seasonal planning, cooking, shopping, and hosting duties, compared to just 8 percent of men.
Huntersville, North Carolina-registered dietitian Jordan Langhough speculates that "holiday boss" syndrome is worse for mothers due to caregiver demands.
“Parenting should be a shared experience, but unfortunately it's not that way,” Langhough told NTD.
The study further found that among parents, 26 percent of mothers say they do it all, which is more than four times the rate of fathers at 6 percent.
The potential for the holidays to contribute to gastrointestinal issues isn’t surprising to Sumana Moole, who believes that emotional and logistical overload are contributing factors.
“The most common symptoms women report during high-stress periods like the holidays are abdominal pain, bloating, changes in bowel habits. Either constipation, diarrhea, or a swing between the two and early fullness when eating,” Moole told NTD.
Across all study demographics, financial stress stands out as the singular leading holiday gastrointestinal trigger, with 42 percent citing it as a driver of gut distress.
About 53 percent named lifestyle disruption, including travel, routine disruption, and fatigue, and 26 percent cited dietary changes, including overeating and drinking, while 34 percent blamed interpersonal dynamics.
Moole advises women who act as "holiday CEO" to delegate by ensuring each spouse is responsible for supplying gifts for their own immediate family members.
“It's not a perfect breakdown, but it does help,” Moole added. “Don’t commit to hosting a family gathering if you don't really want to or if you can't handle it. You do not have to do it all.”
The study was conducted on behalf of Oshi Health, which is a virtual gastrointestinal care provider.