Deadlines loom as workers try to get through their piles of work before going on holidays.Add to this the round of Christmas celebrations to attend and the scurry to buy gifts and you have a recipe for exhaustion.Christmas is the season when stress levels run high.Wollongong psychologist Erika Day says stress is when a person perceives their internal resources are not adequate to meet a situation - whether it be their demands at work or home.
VOTE: Does Christmas cause more stress than joy?"It is a feeling that you don't have what it takes to do what you need to do," she says.Day says people start to feel stressed this time of year because they tend to "speed up"."They get this sense that everything has to be finished before Christmas," she says."They go into overdrive, they rush around, work and live at breakneck pace. They are saying 'yes' when their gut is screaming 'no'."According to Day, when they are stressed people are actually more likely to say "yes" to tasks they don't have time for and this compounds the problem."As we put more pressure on ourselves there's less opportunity to connect with our values and with others," she says."We risk losing the meaning behind what we're doing as we disconnect from internal and external signs in an attempt to avoid discomfort."It is not only in the workplace that people start feeling stressed. Christmas, when people feel obliged to spend time with their extended family, is a stressful time for anybody who has any conflict within their family unit."They are preparing for that now," Day says. "They are buying Christmas presents that they don't want to buy."They're buying a whole heap of Christmas presents to make up for things that may not have been done in the past."The symptoms of stress are similar to anxiety, Days says. But anxiety is often felt in short bursts, whereas stress lasts for longer at a lower intensity.Stress affects different systems of the body - it can affect your cardiovascular system as your heartbeat speeds up and it affects your immunity."A lot of people find that when they do go on holidays, they get ill," Day says."It's actually related to all the stress leading up to that time. Their body's finally got a break but the stressful living catches up with them."Other symptoms include irritability, clouded vision, racing thoughts and insomnia.According to Day, people stop looking after themselves when they are stressed, and they may stop exercising and eating well.Furthermore, long-term stress increases the chance of developing an anxiety disorder or depression."You just don't have the same quality of life when you are stressed," Day says."Decisions can be impaired, you are making decisions not necessarily based on your core values rather (they are) based on immediate situations and reducing what is in front of you."We can have a lot of background stress as things are building up - paperwork piles stacking up, that causes background stress that we don't realise unless we are made aware of it."Sometimes people will deal with stress in the wrong way, turning to alcohol to unwind and coffee to wake up or vegging out in front of the television rather than exercising. People also tend to procrastinate, Day says."People (often) avoid the feelings that go along with stress by distracting themselves," she says.To prevent getting stressed at this time of year, Day advises slowing down and learning to say "no" to those things you are unable to do.Make sure you have a lunch break at work, taking the time to get out of your workplace to stretch your legs and breathe some fresh air."When we're stressed and when we're anxious our breathing becomes more shallow and more rapid," Day says."If you can practice every day slowing down your breathing, it's a good way to learn how to support yourself in times of stress."You will be more clear-headed before going into a meeting if you stop, take some breaths. There is more to it than that, but that's a good start."Day also recommends leaving a notebook on your beside table, so you can write down anything that may be worrying you. Creating a to-do list may take 10 minutes before you go to sleep, but could save you hours of tossing and turning in your bed, she says.When it comes to December 25, Day suggests giving yourself permission to assess who makes you feel good about yourself and with whom you want to spend Christmas.To seek help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.Tips for less stressful ChristmasGet out of the fast lane.Stop working back and/or taking work home.Learn to say "no" and practice it.Make sure you have a lunch break.Exercise.Breathe.Re-evaluate your priorities. Ask yourself if what you are doing is helping you live a rich, full and meaningful life.Take time out to do things that make you feel good.Limit alcohol.If you are stressed, talk to someone about it - for example, friends, family, your GP or someone at your local community group.Plan ahead for stressful situations, including Christmas Day.Remember it is common to feel stressed, pressured and frantic at this time of year - this also means that others are also feeling it.Ask yourself what you can let go of.Learn not to take things personally.Tips provided by psychologist Erika Day.
