Christmas stress starts Saturday 2 December

Added: (Thu Nov 16 2006)

Pressbox (Press Release) - PRESS RELEASE
FROM The Stress Management Society
DATE 16 November 2006

When does Christmas stress start? This year, it is on Saturday 2 December at 12.30pm. That’s the point that good cheer evaporates and is replaced by the realities of the coming month.

The morning of ‘Black Saturday’ (on the first weekend of December) is about as good as anyone is going to feel until Christmas is over, according to recent research by Greenwich University, London. By lunchtime on Black Saturday, shoppers’ festive spirit is overtaken by festive stress which continues to build until the holiday is finished.

However The Stress Management Society (www.stress.org.uk) has some advice on how to turn seasonable shopping into a manageable activity.

Neil Shah director of The Stress Management Society says: "People are generally enthusiastic when they start buying presents. But over time this enthusiasm declines and we find ourselves working against deadline and budget to find the perfect presents.

"It turns from a pleasure into a chore that raises our heart rates, shuts down body functions like our digestive systems and leaves us physically and mentally exhausted.”

“Research shows that people get particularly stressed when they feel powerless. Shopping is no different. So take control to cut down on your feelings of retail helplessness.”

“Do all your present shopping on one day. That really focuses the mind. Write your list of who you are buying for, then shop via the internet as much as possible to avoid crowds, queues and parking problems.”

“If you do venture to the shops write down which retailers you want to visit and give yourself a time limit in each one.”

“Don’t stop for coffee. Caffeine prompts the body to release cortisol, the stress hormone, which will leave you feeling tense. Instead take a bottle of water with you which will keep you hydrated.”

“Whenever you are in a queue, try this exercise: breathe in for four counts, hold it for 16 counts, then breathe out for eight counts. This will focus your mind away from your immediate situation and boost levels of serotonin in your brain.

According to research, buying presents is the number one stressor at Christmas; 85% of shoppers show serious symptoms of stress whilst shopping, according to the British Heart Foundation.

But it’s not the only stress people have to prepare for at Christmas. Says Shah: “Factors like balancing a budget, cooking an important family meal and seeing relatives also adds to the strain. Research from HBOS (Halifax/Bank of Scotland) even shows that 14% of people feel stressed by their neighbours’ external Christmas light displays.”

“It’s a lot to cope with. But by getting the major tensions under control, we can all have a happier holiday all round.”

The Stress Management Society has a free guide to managing stress at Christmas, available through its website www.stress.org.uk.


EDITOR’S NOTES

‘Black Saturday’ was identified in 2004 by Dr Tony Mann, head of mathematics at Greenwich University, London. He came to his conclusions by analysing data and equations about festive spirit versus festive stress.

About The Stress Management Society
The Stress Management Society offers practical help to combat stress. It was formed in 2004 by a group of experts in fields like hypnotherapy, neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), nutrition, exercise, business management, yoga and massage. The Society has helped thousands of people reduce their stress in natural ways and works with companies as varied as Shell, Royal Mail, The Home Office, Sky TV and Standard Life.

Neil Shah, director of the Society is available for media comment on any issue relating to stress. Call 08701 999 235 or 07956 825 946. The PR Officer for the Society is Andrea Sangster, available on 020 8357 2164 or 07702 906 350.