Christmas shopping, New Year and more: how to manage the stress of December?

He arrived last month of 2023 which means that in the coming weeks it will be celebrated not only Christmas , but also New Year , as well as vacations and the end of the school year.

However, these dates may affect the Mental Health of people, which is considered by a 66% of Chileans as the biggest welfare problem facing the country today, study finds Global Health Observer 2023 of the Ipsos .

The specialist in psychiatry Free Living Clinic , German Berardo tells La Tercera that “by the end of the year, requests increase “, because “there are more first orders or users who have performed well during the year who tend to need more attention.”

There are various reasons why people are stressed on these dates, according to clinical psychologist Margarita Benvenuto indicates to La Tercera that one of the reasons why this sensation occurs is that ““The end of the year is synonymous with a deadline, a time to respect.” as well as pending activities, which generates a increased levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.

The above relates to Berardo’s statement, which comments that a “feeling of now or never, both in personal and professional life “.

Benvenuto adds that the end of the year brings with it, social gatherings, parties, Christmas shopping, excessive spending traffic jams and a greater workload, so many events happen in a short time.

In addition, if they have children, add their school activities, in which parents usually participate, as well as preschool activities. children’s vacation.

Between the symptoms of stress What people may feel during end of the year are the following according to Berardo:

• Anger.
• Euphoria
• Frustration.
• Impatience.
• Blame.
• Despair.
• Fatigue.
• Gastrointestinal problems.
• Contractures.
• Headaches, headaches.
• Sleep problems.
• Back pain.
• Fatigue.

Although the Symptoms of Stress Can Be Similar in Everyone Benvenuto emphasizes that it is about psychologically experienced differently . For example, he explains that, in the case of children they feel the pressure of the school year closing and gift expectations that they can receive at Christmas.

On the other hand, young people university students they can suffer sleep problems in addition to being more aggressive and irritable, they therefore “do not want to get involved in social activities”.

In the case of Adults due to the festivities, may be affected by memories of deceased loved ones, then they live a “feelings of loneliness that often increase your stress levels “.

The specialist in psychiatry recommends that to avoid stress on these dates, the main thing “is learn to organize your time correctly restoring possible objectives and priorities balancing what is necessary and what is optional.

In this way, for the Christmas shopping recommends “limiting yourself to a feasible budget” “.

On the other hand, Benvenuto suggests that, to cope with stress, people take time to rest and have “a regular physical activity and, if possible, outdoors, “Aim for a balanced diet, rich in fruits and vegetables.”

Furthermore, the clinical psychologist emphasizes that “reduce the level of requirements concerning these festivities and be realistic with regard to them. »

If the symptoms worsen, increasing their frequency and intensity, Benvenuto recommends seeking help from specialists, because “if it is a Sporadic acute stress becomes chronic stress “.

Added to the above is Berardo’s statement, which explains that it is important to seek help or advice from a mental health professional to “avoid falling into these situations “.

However, this indicates that it should consult urgently when he Stress “causes bodily symptoms or fears that are difficult to control” as well as if you can no longer perform activities that were previously done without difficulty.