NEWS AND OPINION:
The American Heart Association has some news for us.
“The holidays are more stressful than doing taxes, causing people to overlook their own health during ‘the most wonderful time of the year.’ The survey suggests that adults of all ages have trouble prioritizing their mental and physical health at this time of year,” the organization reports.
And yes, they have some numbers to consider.
The association has conducted a new survey, which found that 63% of the respondents claimed that the holiday season is more nerve-wracking and upsetting to them than tax season.
“Balancing work, family, finances and everyday obligations, while trying to fit in festive events that make this time of year special becomes overwhelming and induces chronic stress for many,” the organization said.
It offers simple advice, like eating reasonable amounts of food, or taking a short walk each day. Getting some of that elusive “quality sleep” is also important.
“Many survey respondents (71%) said that their biggest regret each holiday season is that they did not take time to relax and enjoy themselves. Most survey respondents say it takes them weeks to feel less stressed after the holidays; with moms reporting it takes them a month or more to recover,” the association said.
The survey of 1,000 U.S. adults was conducted online Nov. 2-Dec. 4 by Wakefield Research.
A NEW YORK REALITY
The U.S. Census Bureau has revealed that New York lost more residents in the last year than any state in the nation.
House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik — a New York Republican — has taken notice. For the most part, she blames New York Gov. Kathy Hochul for the exodus.
“Far Left Kathy Hochul and Albany Democrats have made New York so unlivable that our state leads the nation in population loss with more than 102,000 residents leaving in one year alone. With record crime and cost of living far beyond the national average, New York’s mass exodus is far from over,” Ms. Stefanik said in a written statement shared with Inside the Beltway,
“If Far Left Democrats in Albany don’t start putting the safety and prosperity of New Yorkers before their extremist agenda, there will be no more residents left to tax and fund their radical, socialist programs,” she warned.
AN EYE ON JANUARY
Political dynamics will change quickly when the December holidays have come and gone. But of course. It’s a presidential election year.
Consider that the Iowa presidential caucuses are Jan. 15 — a fact not overlooked by Republican presidential hopefuls.
Former President Donald Trump will deliver remarks to a “Team Trump Iowa Commit to Caucus Rally” in Mason City on Jan. 5, according to his campaign.
GOP hopeful rival Nikki Haley also remains in campaign mode.
“With the Iowa caucuses just weeks away, Team Haley is hiring Pat Garrett, a former communications advisor to Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird. Garrett will join the team and lead the charge on the press and media front in the Hawkeye State,” Mrs. Haley’s campaign said in a statement shared with Inside the Beltway.
Mr. Garrett appears poised for action.
“I’m thrilled to join Team Haley in this final stretch before the Iowa caucuses. The energy on the ground is real and the momentum is strong,” Mr. Garrett said, also in a written statement.
“Let’s get it done,” he said.
REASON FOR THE SEASON
A pollster has this to say about the Christmas season.
“Santa Claus may be coming to town, but for most Americans, Christmas is still about the baby born away in a manger,” advises a Rasmussen Reports national survey released Thursday.
It revealed that 64% of U.S. adults believe Christmas “should be more about Jesus Christ than about Santa Claus.” That finding is up from 57% from an identical poll taken in 2022.
“Only 16% put Santa first, while 21% are undecided,” the pollster said.
The survey of 1,108 U.S. adults was conducted on Dec. 14 and Dec. 17-18.
WEEKEND REAL ESTATE
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POLL DU JOUR
• 62% of registered U.S. voters think 2024 will be better for them personally than 2023.
• 49% of Republicans, 63% of independents and 77% of Democrats agree. 61% of men and 63% of women also agree.
• 20% overall say 2024 will be worse for them personally.
• 32% of Republicans, 20% of independents and 8% of Democrats agree. 21% of men and 19% of women also agree.
• 8% think their situation will be neither better nor worse.
• 6% of Republicans, 10% of independents and 7% of Democrats agree. 8% of men and 9% of women also agree.
• 9% don’t know whether the year will be better or worse.
• 13% of Republicans, 8% of independents and 7% of Democrats agree. 10% of men and 9% of women also agree.
SOURCE: A Quinnipiac University poll of 1,647 registered U.S. voters conducted Dec. 14-18.
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