The Christmas holidays are here and, while this should be a period of rest and relaxation, the festive season is a stressful experience for many people. Here’s how to cope with holiday stress…

Holiday Stressor Number One: Switching off from Work

A recent report by the UK’s Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) found that 80% of those surveyed answer work-related emails and 50% conduct business-related phone calls while on holiday. As if email addiction isn’t enough, a new study by Professor David Vance of Rutgers-Camden University in the USA and Professor Nada Kakabadse of the University of Northampton in the UK, identifies Blackberry addiction. They found that one third of Blackberry users show signs of addiction ‘similar to alcoholics’. And according to Osterman Research’s Mobile Messaging Trends Study, 79% of those it surveyed take work-related mobile devices with them on holiday.

Holiday Stress Buster: Disconnect!

• Set automated ‘out-of-office’ replies for all emails. Change the voicemail on your work phone so that it notifies callers of the same.
• Disable any social media and email notifications that come through to your phone.
• Limit your social networking activities.

De-stressing Tip: Hair Spa

Did you know that stress can impact negatively on the condition of our hair, even leading to stress-related hair loss? To improve condition, try a hair spa treatment consisting of an oil massage, shampoo, hair mask and conditioning.

Holiday Stressor Number Two: Problems with Relaxing

The ILM study revealed that it takes people, on average, two days and seventeen hours to totally unwind. 10% of respondents admitted that it took them up to a week to get into holiday mode.

Holiday Stress Buster: Factor in ‘unwinding’ time

• A decent break from work helps prevent burnout, leading to improved job performance in the long term

De-stressing Tip: Hot Rock Massage

Hot rock massage targets the lymph nodes, helping eliminate the toxins which accumulate in our bodies from stress. Lying face down on a massage bed, warm basalt rocks are placed on your back and neck muscles and, as they relax under the warmth of the stones, your massage therapist works out tension with a traditional Swedish massage.

Holiday De-stressor Number Three: Holiday Finances

According to a survey conducted by US market research firms, KW Stratagems, Decipher and Survey Sampling International, two thirds of Americans cite finances as a major source of holiday stress.

Holiday Stress Buster: Compile a Holiday Budget

• Include costs for gifts, entertaining, traveling and accommodation.
• Set aside money for the holidays rather than funding it on credit.
• Keep track of spending and plan to pay off any holiday debt as soon as possible.

De-stressing Tip: North African Head Massage

An indulgent head-and-shoulders massage using aromatherapy oils – ideal for relieving stress headaches after all that number crunching!

Holiday Stressor Number Four: Holiday Weight Gain

According to the same survey by KW Stratagems, Decipher and Survey Sampling International, 50% of women are stressed about weight gain over the holiday period, which prevents them from relaxing.

Holiday Stress Buster: Eat, Exercise and Sleep

• Exercise daily in the fresh air.
• Keep to regular mealtimes and watch your portion sizes.
• At parties, focus on socializing instead of snacking.
• A lack of sleep can also contribute to weight gain, so catch up on the zees.

De-stressing Tip: Spa Body firming Treatments

Nothing beats relaxing at a spa! For inch loss conditioning, try a body firming treatment, or an anti-cellulite treatment to improve the appearance of your skin and improve blood circulation. To tone and get an all-over body glow, try a body wrap.

Holiday Stressor Number Five: Holiday Shopping

According to consultancy firm, Webcredible, 53% of consumers polled in a recent survey leave their Christmas shopping until the Eleventh Hour. Retailers report that the last ten days before Christmas are their busiest time of the year.

Holiday Stress Buster: Develop a Christmas Shopping Plan

• Revisit your Christmas Gift List – whittling it down to a special few will save you time and money.
• Know what it is you’re shopping for, where to get the items and how much they should cost.
• Set a deadline for two weeks before Christmas Eve, by which all shopping and gift-wrapping must be complete.

De-stressing Tip: Spa Pedicure

You’ve walked miles at the mall – soothe tired feet with a pedicure incorporating a relaxing foot massage, exfoliation and a nail treatment.

Holiday Stressor Number Six: Going on Holiday

In a poll by US research consultancy Public Agenda, 28% of people admitted that they experience travel stress, including a fear of the unknown, motion sickness and disruption of routines.

Holiday Stress Buster: Plan your holiday in advance

• Ensure that all your documents are in order and that all your bookings have been confirmed
• Make a list of the items you need to take with and pack smart.
• If driving, plan your routes beforehand, take note of any road works and ensure that your vehicle is roadworthy
• Invest in a good map book and GPS

De-stressing Tip: Spa Manicure

Before you leave on holiday, treat yourself to a professional manicure. Not only is a manicure a quick and easy way to enhance your holiday look, it also promotes the health of our hands and nails.

Holiday Stressor Number Seven: Christmas family stress

Says Prof. Thomas Plante, Director of the Spirituality and Health Institute at Santa Clara University in the USA, many people use the holidays to act out family dynamics, creating stressful and unpleasant situations.

Holiday Stress Buster: Don’t take the bait

When confronted with an antagonistic or irritating family member, take deep breaths and count to ten. Leave the room if you have to; go for a walk or escape to the kitchen to wash dishes.

De-stressing Tip: Spa Facial Treatment

According to top stylist Gary Landsman, the author of Face Value: DIY Secrets to Beauty and a Younger Face (Angus & Robertson, 2009), stress levels are immediately visible on a person’s face. To reduce these visible signs of stress, go for a spa facial treatment. Apart from stress relief, the major health benefits of facials include detoxification, exfoliation, and hydration.