Seasonal Stresses and Strains

IBS - Seasonal Woes

It is that time of year again, while next week we will look at the dietary issues which effect IBS sufferers over the festive period, this week we will take a look at some of the ways which we can avoid excess stress.

We frequently discuss the relationship between stress and IBS, however few periods of the year include so many contributors.  If you have a young family then you are most likely drowning under lists of presents and things to do.  The levels and type of pressure may vary form home to home, however everything from work to home appears to get sucked into to the festive madness.

Christmas is up there with divorce, moving house and changing jobs as the sixth most stressful life event. 86% of us say they find buying presents difficult and 65% find Christmas shopping a stressful experience, according to the results of a new survey of over 3,000 people*.

The results of the survey reveal that over 30% of us get stressed just at the mere thought of hitting the high street at Christmas, and 61% say they lack inspiration when shopping and worry that people won't like what they've bought them. 60% of us have at some time had the horrible experience of buying a gift for someone and seeing disappointment on their faces when they opened it.

Looking after you

If you suffer chronic IBS, you are highly likely to suffer over this period.  Below we have taken the best best article we could find, from experts on the subject to find some of the best tips to reducing seasonal stress.    Make sure this Christmas doesn’t become a day to remember for all the wrong reasons. Follow these tips from Relate counsellor Christine Northam:

• If there have been any family rows during the year, resolve them. Tell the people you argued with that you're looking forward to seeing them. Ask if you can get together before Christmas to talk about whatever problem you had.
• Plan the day and share out the jobs that need to be done. Don't slave away for hours on your own and feel like people have taken advantage of you.
• Discuss your plans with others, including any children who will be there, so that you can listen to their ideas and wishes for the day. Then you can come up with a celebration which includes things that please everyone.
• Have a timetable for Christmas Day so that you don’t all sit around for hours doing nothing. Try to make sure you won't be spending a lot of time with a difficult person or someone you don’t get along with. 
• Don’t drink too much. Drinking excessively is never a good idea. Find out more on safer drinking. 
• Children can get overexcited, so plan a lovely long walk for a change of scene and some fresh air. Everybody will feel better and pleasantly tired instead of irritably tired

For greater detail please click here for a guide to a stress free Christmas.

* conducted by MemoriseThis.com (1) - the UK's largest on-line gift giving company