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Two More Stressors to Avoid on Tax Day
Posted: Mon 04/16/2012 12:30 PM | By: Corrie Pikul
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Photo: Thinkstock
Photo: Thinkstock

For many of us, Tax Day (tomorrow, April 17) is like this big, stressful stain on a month otherwise colored cherry-blossom pink and arbor green. The anxiety starts in January with that first W2 form in the mail. But tax-related stress can induce more than just snapping at the dog and tearing apart the house for any leftover chocolate Easter eggs. Here are two more reasons to squeeze in some restorative yoga, a brisk walk or some other proven stress-reducer tomorrow:
  1. Filing may lead to distracted driving: A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that the risk of fatal car crashes goes up on Tax Day. The researchers examined 30 years of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and found that there were 6 percent more car crashes on days when taxes were due than on days that fell one week before or one week later. Scientists at the University of Toronto told Time magazine that, "Stressful deadlines lead to driver distraction and short-term human error...Other reasons could include sleep deprivation, inadvertent distractions and less tolerance towards hassles on tax day." Try to get to bed early tonight, and be extra-vigilant on the roads tomorrow.
  2. Taxes can make you sneeze: It's not just the pollen level; it's your anxiety level. While there's no proof that stress triggers allergies, it's been shown to exacerbate their symptoms, says Sakina Bajowala, a board-certified allergist and immunologist with a private practice in North Aurora, Illinois. Make sure you're already taking your allergy meds, and bring tissues with you to the post office or the accountant's office. (Check out Dr. Bajowala's advice for dealing with seasonal allergies). 
If the stress is unbearable this year, remember that you can always file for a 6-month extension.

Keep reading:
5 ways to cope with money stress
Simple ways to calm down
As a reminder, always consult your doctor for medical advice and treatment before starting any program.
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