15 Ways To Fight Festive Stress

Is the thought of Christmas approaching raising your anxiety levels? Here’s how to find calm in the run-up to the big day

- Tanya Pearey

Control your breathing

‘Diaphragmatic breathing exercises (where you breathe deeply through your belly), will halt the stress response,’ says psychologist Dr Megan Arroll.

Try this simple 15-minute breathing exercise:

Lie down with your eyes closed and focus on your breathing.

Put one hand on your upper chest, and one on your tummy.

As you breathe in, allow your tummy to rise. As you breathe out, allow your tummy to flatten. There should be little or no movement in your chest.

Establish a regular rhythm for a few minutes before you slow down your ‘out’ breath, pausing slightly, before breathing in at the same rate as before. Continue this for several minutes.

When you’re ready to end, take a few deeper breaths in and open your eyes slowly, before gently sitting up.

Get herbal help

Try AvenaCalm (£10.50 for 50ml, from independent health food shops or avogel.co.uk). It contains an extract of Avena sativa, a herb used to relieve anxiety. ‘Long-term stress and anxiety can have a negative effect on the body,’ says herbalist Dr Chris Etheridge. ‘It’s important to lessen anxiety, whether through physical means or using herbal medicines for short-term relief.’

Cut back on coffee

Caffeine raises levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Try decaf, chicory coffee or ginger tea instead.

Munch on magnesium