HOW TO KEEP FESTIVE FURY AT BAY

THE RUN-UP TO CHRISTMAS CAN SEND US INTO A FRENZY. HERE ARE SIX WAYS TO CURB YOUR ANXIETY AND ENSURE IT'S A MERRY TIME

- BIANCA CASTRO

Tis the season to be jolly, right? Not for everyone. Nearly one in 20 Brits admit the festive period has a "negative impact" on their mental health. So if you're feeling your snarling inner Grinch threatening to go on the rampage, you're not alone.

"It's very normal to feel stressed in the run-up to Christmas," says therapist Katie Rose, a member of BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) and founder of TherapEast. "Regular worries about money, family, relationships, body image, fear of missing out, and loneliness collide just at a time when social media is telling us we should be at our happiest."

The result? An increased likelihood of stressmas-induced rage, which explodes the moment your Amazon gift delivery gets lost in transit or your partner dares to point out the turkey is a bit rubbery.

Exercise, having some me-time, and sharing the organizing with others can help ease the pain. But here are a few more tips to prevent you from turning into a walking pressure cooker on 25 December...

1 KNOW YOUR TRIGGERS