It’s the most wonderful – but stressful – time of the year.
With Christmas gift shopping, frequent family get-togethers and other holiday-themed expectations throughout December, the increased stress many people feel can outweigh the festive joy. But there are ways to counter that increased stress – whether it’s setting a budget, learning to say no to attending certain holiday events, or practicing physical wellness.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) said the financial impact of the season is one of the biggest causes of holiday stress.
"This year, set a budget," an AHS release stated. "It's OK to tell your child that a certain toy costs too much."
Personal gifts and connecting with loved ones can often be the most cherished gifts. Focus on traditions that make the season special for you and your family instead of the commercialization of Christmas, and stick to your budget for the gifts you do buy, suggests AHS.
"You can show love and caring with any gift that is meaningful and personal," the release stated. "It doesn't have to cost a lot. Or use words instead of an expensive gift to let people know how important they are to you. Make a phone call or write a note and share your feelings."
Another way to limit feeling overwhelmed is to ask for help with your to-do list, according to AHS.
"Spend time with friends and family while you share tasks like decorating, wrapping gifts and preparing the holiday meal," the release stated.
Practicing physical wellness can also reduce stress levels at this time of year. While it can be difficult to find the time to exercise in the midst of all the hustle and bustle, doing so regularly will produce endorphins, which are the “feel-good” hormones, according to medicalnewstoday.com. The release of these chemicals relieves pain or stress, and makes it easier to fall asleep at night – another way to counter stress.
An enjoyable way to relax is to receive a massage. According to Anna Sadra, the owner of Anna’s Spa and Wellness Centre, the holiday season is one of the best times of year treat yourself, because the stress of the season takes its toll on the body.
“It’s a very exhausting time of the year, so it’s an ideal time for a massage,” she said, adding another reason to book an appointment in December is to maximize benefits that run out at the end of the year.
According to Sadra, the benefits of regular massages – she recommends once or twice a month – are plentiful, as the practice reduces muscle tension and improves circulation.
“What massage is, really, is friction of the muscles with your hands,” she said. “You just stimulate the muscles and increase the blood flow. Our bodies work very smartly, but there is stagnation when the blood flow stops. That’s when we start to feel pain. What massage does is increase the circulation, stimulate the muscles and help to de-stress and relieve pain.”
Repetitive use of certain muscles can lead to stiffness and aching, according to Sadra. She added such soreness is common when performing holiday-related necessities like walking around a mall for several hours. To combat this, she recommends stretching twice a day to help lengthen the muscles, thus decreasing pain.
“If you do stretches daily, your muscles are long enough that they won’t contract after so much long walking, pushing a shopping cart or carrying shopping bags,” she said. “If you have been strengthening and lengthening your muscles, your muscle contraction won’t be as [bad] – you will feel a muscle fatigue instead of muscle pain. Fatigue gets better after the rest, while muscle pain comes back and reappears all the time, when there is any excessive work.”
