‘Tis the season to be jolly… or stressed?
For some of us, the approaching holiday season can mean a time of laughter, family, and fun – however, for many, it can be a time of stress. More money going out than coming in as expensive gifts are bought or perhaps just the amount of presents for big families and friendship circles. Then there are the family members that perhaps you rarely see due to incompatibility plus extended family all coming together under one roof. Maybe you are the one cooking the holiday meal which, for many can be an overwhelming prospect. For some, trying to meet the expectations of children, family and friends can be highly stressful, not to mention deadlines at work and an endless ‘to do’ list. For others, there is an opposite problem, when there simply are no family or friends nearby and the question “what are you doing at Christmas?” becomes a nightmare. The sadness and grief of missing those who used to be with us can be most difficult at these times of “joy. The list of stress-inducing scenarios at this time of year goes on.
The Science of Stress…
Stress is primarily a physical response triggered by our reptilian brain – the amygdala. When stressed, the body thinks it is under attack and switches to ‘fight or flight’ mode, releasing a complex mix of hormones and chemicals such as adrenaline, cortisol, and norepinephrine to prepare the body for physical action. This causes a number of reactions, from blood being diverted to muscles to shutting down unnecessary bodily functions such as digestion. As you can imagine this can cause a multitude of problems: we can’t think straight or focus clearly, we become fatigued and emotional, our sleep becomes disturbed. Our body experiences aches and pains, our muscles tense and we can experience severe headaches. Remaining in this state for extended periods of time will have a detrimental effect on our overall physical, mental and emotional health. Stress is medically recognised as the most prominent factor causing ill health in modern society including stroke, heart conditions, high blood pressure, high glucose resulting in type 2 diabetes to name but a few.
…And How to BEAT it!
It doesn’t have to stay that way. Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Hypnotherapy, Art Therapy, various relaxation techniques, and meditation can relieve you of stress. These therapies offer you healthier coping mechanisms to deal with potentially stressful situations and are some of the therapies offered by Mel Maelo at Shoreham Osteopathy Centre. At the very least you can help yourself by ensuring you take time for exercise or activity that you enjoy – yoga, pilates, dance, pottery classes, etc; this has been proven to increase the “happy” chemicals in your brain, such as endorphins and serotonin. If you are facing financial constraints, try simply going for regular brisk walks of 10-20 minutes – it can make such a difference. We live in a beautiful area with walks along the beach, river or up on the rolling downs that you can enjoy without limit.
There are many ways to deal with the long list of potentially stressful situations you may be facing this holiday season and our team are here to assist. The key is to look after yourself and in turn, you will be able to remain calm and focused at this busy time of year and enjoy a stress-free holiday whether you are with family, friends or away. And remember the gift of love, kindness and quality time for each other far out ways an expensive present.
Wishing you a calm, relaxed holiday! For more information on the issues raised in the article, please contact Mel Maelo at Shoreham Osteopathy Centre or visit our website.
