It’s only natural to start feeling stress build-up as the Christmas and holiday season fast approaches.
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Bendigo naturopathic practitioner, Sally Mathrick said there are multiple factors in life that can contribute to people feeling overly stressed in the busy period before Christmas.
"People get stressed about relating with their family,” Ms Mathrick said.
"There's also an enormous amount of stress economically, people struggling to provide the gifts that their children want or trying to provide the big feasts that we’re all accustomed to.”
Ms Mathrick said excess time spent working can also lead to making unhealthy decisions all of which contribute to “feeling stressed”.
“Because of the amount of work we’re doing, we’re looking for convenience in our food selections,” she said.
Proper hydration and having a diet rich in nutrients can play a significant factor in helping the human body manage stress and will also help individuals become more mindful about their mental state.
Clinical Director of The Anna Centre Bendigo, Mary Sandilands said two essential methods to improve mental health are regular exercise, and having discussions with people to make us aware of our surroundings.
“Focus on what we hear, see, touch, smell and taste, to be aware of what’s actually happening around us,” she said.
“Mindfulness is being aware of the present moment with curiosity and non-judgement.”
Without focusing on these key elements of life it can cause “mindlessness which can lead to stress”.
“Mindfulness is what’s happening now, paying attention to ourselves.”
“It’s our thinking about things that leads to us feeling stressed and in that moment when we’re aware of those sort of things, we’re not being mindful,” she said.
Mindfulness is an element of yoga, which balances the connection between mind and body.
“Being in the moment and fully present is relaxing, suddenly you let go of all the concerns of the past and all the worries about the future, and you are present, enjoying yourself,” Ms Mathrick said.
“How can you just suddenly relax after the build up throughout the year.”
“Make the conscious decision of what’s really important to you over this Christmas period and let everything else go.”
