Tips to Minimize Holiday Season Stress

It’s the most wonderful time of the year . . . It’s the happiest season of all. OR so says a classic song of the holiday season. But is it?

The end-of-year holidays are certainly a happy time for most to experience joy, gratitude and togetherness but the season also creates added stress in many different ways.

We create our own stress by setting expectations to meet not only our own personal goals, but also expectations of others – those of family, extended family and friends – everyone wanting to get together.

In addition, stressors can include wanting the perfect meal, filling the kids ‘wish list’ of gifts, finding time for the social invites, travel etc. Many adults only have a few days off during the holiday season and the lack of time and pressure to fit everything in is challenging to say the least. And then there is the financial side, especially now with added inflationary costs, many families struggling to maintain the most basic of necessities for their families.

But maybe we should all stop for just a minute!

If most adults asked themselves what the holidays mean to them, they would probably say something like “spending time with family and or friends and time to relax a bit”. Kids would probably say “Santa or gifts … and no school.”

Many people understandably view the entire holiday season as an obligation or chore because it’s filled with being pulled in so many different directions. Maybe we could go back to older times when the holidays were simpler – set some new traditions that reduce some of the stressors for each person. What is important to you and your family? Each family will have different priorities – the goal is to reduce demands and stress and make it all fun again and even find some time for yourself.

The holidays are just another time of year – something to mark or acknowledge but certainly not at the risk of so much stress that it diminishes the enjoyment.

Stress-Busting Nutrients

These supplements have been shown to be of benefit during times of stress. Many of these supplements help to support the adrenal glands which are the primary organs that react to stress by increasing the level of various stress hormones in the body and brain.

B Complex Vitamins can promote a calming effect by boosting mood and energy.

Vitamin C is required for healthy production of adrenal hormones.

Magnesium is the missing mineral in preventing stress in the body and brain. It is a cofactor in over 300 enzyme systems that regulate many biochemical reactions in the body. Magnesium deficiency and stress are both common in people of all ages, and both increase the risk of negative health consequences. Magnesium plays an inhibitory key role in the regulation of the stress hormones and helps promote relaxation of body and mind and improve sleep.

Stress increases magnesium loss causing a deficiency and magnesium deficiency enhances susceptibility to stress resulting in magnesium loss – a vicious cycle. The standard North American diet contains only half of the recommended daily allowance of magnesium. As much as three-quarters of the total population is estimated to be consuming a magnesium-deficient diet.

The recommended dose is 360 mg for women and 400 mg daily for men. Many experts suggest even this recommended intake is insufficient, especially when we are under stress. Are you getting enough?

Magnesium bisglycinate is readily absorbed and is less likely to cause loose stools like some other forms of magnesium.

Adrenal herbal formula containing herbs such as ashwagandha, Siberian ginseng, suma, and rhodiola. Talk to the knowledgeable staff at Vitamin shop about the different formula choices.

Supporting the adrenal glands with nutritional support is extremely important during times of stress, whether on a regular basis or during holiday seasons.

Wishing you all the best of health and happiness over the holidays and year ahead.