Quay Christmas hacks to ease stress and tension

Christmas is a season geared towards connection and family.

The upside of this is excitement, celebration, generosity and indulgence. But for some, this comes with a downside, which can include unrealistic expectations, endless To Do lists, financial strain and exhaustion.

There are those who have experienced loss, and the holiday season can emphasis grief, or it may be highlight feeling a long way from loved ones.

As part of a multi-disciplinary health hub, what my colleagues have noted lately is that we’re seeing a lot of clients carrying more tension than usual. This presents in a variety of ways, from tight shoulders and headaches, to feeling worried and shallow breathing.

The race to meet pre-Christmas deadlines leaves a lot of people feeling wired and depleted, and lacking the energy or enthusiasm to engage what the festive season is all about: family and connection.

If you fall into the lucky category of people who have a Christmas elf who cooks, cleans, shops and does the accounting, leaving you free to fully appreciate the best of the Christmas Spirit, please spread your good cheer far and wide.

However, if you resonate with some of the stressful aspect I’ve listed above, consider these three Christmas Hacks to ease stress and tension, and enjoy the holiday season more fully.

1. Hydrate. The hot days, air conditioning, and perhaps some boozy over-indulgences at the Christmas party all quickly and easily cause dehydration. This may show up as hunger, thirst, headaches and brain fog.

2. Breathe. Remember to take the breath deep into your belly. Stress will impact the way we breathe. Taking a few minutes to focus on slowing down the rate of your respiration, particularly the length of your out breath, will help to reset your stress nervous system

3. Take a break. We lose concentration and efficiency when we do anything for a prolonged period. If your mind is telling you you’re tired, and your body is telling you that it’s feeling stiff, you’ve been at it too long.

Taking a short break will improve your work output and avoid physical strains persisting.

This is not rocket science, but it’s the simple things that create a strong foundation, and sometimes get overlooked. And if it’s getting all too much, reach out for care from your support network or health team.

Wishing you and your family a loving, peaceful holiday season from the Quay Osteo team.

Dr Laura Walsh is osteopath and director at Quay Osteo.