CHRISTMAS – the idea alone can bring joy to some and horror to others.
The festive cocktail of gift-giving, seeing family and excessive amounts of food can make us feel ill during party season.
GettyOver half of Brits knock back an alcoholic drink before lunch on Christmas day[/caption]
According to the Stress Management Society, one in 20 people consider the Christmas period more stressful than a burglary.
And over half of Brits knock back an alcoholic drink before lunch on Christmas day in an attempt to manage the stress.
Psychological stress can also have a major impact on the body, by raising levels of the hormone cortisol, which is part of the human ‘fight-or-flight’ response.
Andrea Rivers, behavioural expert and health coach at weight loss app Noom, explains the impact Christmas stress can have on our bodies…
1. Gift giving and receiving
Like it or not, giving and receiving gifts during the holiday season is a tradition that’s going nowhere.
For some, the pressure of producing gifts on the big day can be especially stress inducing.
Andrea said: “The stress of making time for shopping, feeling like you need to meet a recipient’s expectation for a gift and the financial demands of buying many gifts all at once can be overwhelming and can detract from gatherings and celebrating being together.
“This stress can manifest itself in physical ways, as well.
“When shopping for gifts you may feel overwhelmed, resulting in stress on the cardiovascular system and notice your heart rate increase, tension in your muscles and irritability.”
2. Christmas food
A large part of Christmas revolves around eating and drinking indulgent treats, which on any other given day, we might think twice about.
These tasty additions can play havoc with your body and leave you feeling a bit worse for wear.
According to Andrea your food choices during the holidays can “directly impact things like your sleep routine, energy levels and inflammation”.
In some cases, inflammation can be good for the body, especially when you’re injured or sick, in which case inflammation can help your body fight off illness.
On the other hand, chronic, sustained inflammation is linked to an increased risk of diseases like diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
Andrea said: “During the season, you’re also more likely to be less active, so small steps like parking your car farther away in the car park at the supermarket or making it a priority to get out for a walk with friends or family after a big meal will help you stay just a bit more active and energised.”
3. Hosting family and friends
This is the time of year families and friends typically come together – happily or not.
“And while it can be a fun experience, for many it is also a challenging one due to things like planning, time management and varying family dynamics,” Andrea said.
Almost half (44%) of Brits admit they have had a bust up with their better half on Christmas day over cooking the festive feast, according to new research from home appliance brand Hotpoint.
“The added pressure of all of these things can lead to poor sleep hygiene and brain fog, as well as feelings of worry and stress as to how to maintain a peaceful Christmas celebration.
“Switch off this stress to the best of your ability by trying to maintain some of your routine during the holidays and set boundaries – enjoy spending time together, but go to bed at a reasonable hour.”
4. Party time
Whether it be the free flowing booze and bottomless mince pies at work parties, or the countless Christmas dinners and festive nights out with friends, party season can be a lot of fun.
But nasty bugs and viruses also thrive at this time of year, when everyone is indoors and getting especially close.
Andrea said: “Protect yourself by getting plenty of vitamin C and maintaining your sleep and exercise routines.”
For some people, social gatherings can also be stressful.
Andrea said: “To manage your holiday party schedule, set boundaries and do not be afraid to say no or pass on holiday gatherings that don’t excite you or may add worry to your plate.
“At parties, limit your alcohol consumption — while it may take the edge off at first, alcohol is a depressant and can lead to hangovers, low mood and energy the subsequent days.”
5. Managing loneliness
This season can also be one for loneliness and isolation, and the absence of social connections can feel exacerbated.
Andrea said: “Loneliness can lead to added feelings of stress, sadness and low mood during the holiday season.”
It’s important to acknowledge how you are feeling and come up with ways to cope so as not to take a toll on your health and mental wellbeing.
Andrea said: “Consider volunteering your time to give back or look for community events to attend.
“Find out if any of your friends or coworkers are also alone for the holidays and make plans to spend them together.”