How is that you can feel worried when something so wonderful is about to happen? Why are you up all night before a big date? Why does your heart thump a thump when you are about to be honoured by your work colleagues?
You have heard of stress? Right?
That is an external factor that creates an adrenal response from your body. This response gives you the needed energy and focus to react to the stress. For example, "run fast".
Your body senses an external stress. For example: a dragon chasing you; an anxious call from your university student; or a suspicious text from your bank. And then your body releases cortisol!
Cortisol can be so helpful. It speeds up your heart rate allowing you to run quickly. And it slows down all the "un necessary" functions like digestion and sleep. So you can keep all the energy for your muscles, heart and brain.
But, the tough bit is that even fun stuff can create "eustress". This is stress from fun and happy events. You body still responds to the added "stressful" excitement with a cortisol response. Even though it is Christmas, not a dragon.
Holiday "dragons" can often result in the eustress response. Eustress comes from all the happy events: parties, holiday fairs, and cooking cassava pie. But you need to find a way to calm down and release the cortisol. So you can enjoy the magic and beauty of this time of year.
How can you find some chill? You can attend the NMAC "Staying Healthy for the Holidays" course as a first step. You can also come to the clinic for a calming acupuncture treatment to help with insomnia amd anxiety.
Finally, find your peace of mind on a daily.
Find this peace by picking your own outlet for returning to peace: meditation, walking the railway trail, yoga, chatting with a close friend or trusted doctor, or swimming in the ocean (yes, it is still warm enough!).
Holiday stress is a thing. And it can take you away from the joy of the holidays.
Always keep in heart the true gift of the season. It isn't pie, not a new laptop, nor a kicking party.
The true gift is one of divine unconditional love. A love we are called to share with each other during the holidays.
So smile at a stranger, visit a failing family member and be empathetic to the diversity within our community.
Remember the true meaning of Christmas. A time to remember the birth of a great king. A king who brought peace, love and joy to the planet.