WATCH ABOVE: Global’s Crystal Goomansingh reports on what you can do to limit holiday stress as Christmas approaches.
TORONTO- The holidays are supposed to be about joy and merriment but for many the season is stressful.
“First the expectations you put on yourself. We always cause ourselves more stress than anybody else does and secondly, it’s the cultural pressure to get just the right gift for everyone,” said Mike McKee, Ph.D, Cleveland Clinic.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, research shows about 60 to 80 per cent of Americans feel stress during the holiday season.
The next three weeks will be packed with office parties, family dinners, and outings with friends and that leaves little, if any, time to relax.
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“Stress is the response of the body to something external, so it’s within us that we have a chance to cope or change,” said Dr. Mel Borins, a family physician and author in Toronto.
People with high levels of stress often report muscle pain, headaches, and stomach problems but stress can also be a factor when it comes to some very serious medical conditions such as heart disease, although according the the Heart and Stroke Foundation a clear link has not been established.
“This is a special time for moderation. The alcohol, the chocolates, the sugar doesn’t help cope with stress. Maybe initially you feel better but ultimately there is a negative impact, I believe,” said Dr. Borins.
Instead schedule in time to get to the gym, make an appointment now for a massage for the time when you know you’ll be near your tipping point or sit down with that book you’ve been hoping to find time to enjoy.
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“Get away from the crowd,” said McKee. “Get some peace and quiet. Let your mind clear. Do some slow deep breathing”
Dr. Borins says that doesn’t mean you should turn down all those holiday party invites.
“It’s a great time to party and go away with friends. Very often there is not much fun in our lives so going out, laughing, and having fun is a health benefit. It’s a season about light and love and being jolly,” he said.
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