A new article in Reuters, Holiday No Holiday for Stressed Out Women, tells us what we already knew. This is a really stressful time of the year.

The holidays are a time for fun, food, family, gifts — and stress, with more women tending to suffer than men and turning to food, booze and the couch to get over the holidays.

Nearly half of all U.S. women experience greater stress during the holidays, according to a survey by the American Psychological Association.

I realize the long-term effects of continued couch-time are adverse, but sometimes it seems better than dealing with Aunt Millie. Here are the strategies of the 277 women surveyed with the accompanying percents:

37% Hide out: stay home and lie around– watching TV, reading
22% Calling a friend
8% Pig out
6% Going to a day spa
5% Making out
3% Working out

But if I’ve worked out, made out (the day spa is out of the question and my teeth are unable to pig out), and called a friend, aren’t I allowed to read on the couch? That only seems fair.

According to the women surveyed, the biggest stressors were lack of time and money as well as pressure to give gifts.

Sound familiar?