Christmas is one of the most joyful times of the year, however for many it can also be one of the most stressful. The general business of this time of year, financial worries and the recent loss of loved ones can all cause stress.

Moreover all the merry making of the season can have many of us eating and drinking too much and sleeping too little, causing still more stress.

While stress is often viewed as a mental or psychological problem, it has very real physical effects. The medical profession is placing increasing emphasis on studying stress and it's effects. Stress has been linked as a major causative factor in coronary heart disease, cancer, chronic digestive disorders and late onset diabetes. Many psychiatrists believe that the majority of back problems, one of the most common adult ailments in the United States, is related to stress.

`Fight or flight' is a widely accepted interpretation of the physical response to stress that was described earlier this century by Nobel Prize winning physiologist Walter B. Cannon. The response stimulates our body's production of hormones including adrenaline. These hormones prompt a number of alert responses including increased pupil dilation, heightened muscle tension, faster heart rate and raised blood pressure. Our liver then converts glycogen to glucose and releases it into the blood stream. At the same time our digestion is inhibited because the blood it would require is diverted to our muscles and brain. These physical reactions to stress prepare our body either to run away from the situation (flight) or confront the situation (fight), therefore they are called the flight or fight response.

After an initial reaction to s ome external threat or stress, the body adopts to the situation and can continue to function reasonably well, even though the source of stress is still present for some time. This adaptation puts a certain degree of strain on the body, especially the adrenal glands, and if the level of stress increases, or if a new source of stress materialises, the ability to adapt to it may breakdown. Most of us have experienced one thing after another going wrong stressing us to the point where even the slightest negative thing makes us want to cry or scream.

Stomach ulcers are one example of a physical outcome that can result if the body is subjected to repeated and prolonged stress.They are caused when the body's protective secretions, that normally neutralise stomach acid are inhibited by stress. It is important during times of stress to take extra care with our nutrition as many of the disorders that arise from stress are the result of deficiencies in this area.

Here are some suggestions from Doctor and author James F. Balch for correcting stress related deficiencies.

B complex vitamins: 100mg daily. All B vitamins are necessary for health and proper functioning of the nervous system.

Calcium and Magnesium: 2000mg daily of calcium and 1000mg of magnesium (Use chelate form) -- lost when stress is present. Deficiency is common in highly stressed individuals, and can result in anxiety, fear and even hallucinations.

Multivitamin and mineral complex: especially necessary during stress, containing 25000 IU of natural beta-carotene an important antioxidant, 99mg of potassium and 200mcg of selenium, another potent antioxidant that decreases anxiety attacks.

Lecithin granules: 1 tbsp 3 times daily or capsules 2400mg 3 times daily with meals -- for cellular protection and brain function. (For those who have one too many slices of cassava pie over the holidays, Lecithin has the added benefits of helping with weight loss and high cholesterol).

Kava kava: relaxes the mind as well as the body.

Valerian: keeps the nervous system from being completely overwhelmed. It is also a powerful sleep aid when taken at bedtime, and helps to relieve stress related headaches.

M ilk thistle: cleanses the liver, and has antioxidant properties.

For the holiday season I recommend keeping a bottle of Bach Rescue Remedy on hand -- one of the world's best known natural stress relief remedies. You can purchase this from a health food store. Four drops of this tasteless liquid can be added to a drink as needed.

Aromatherapy is a pleasurable way to relieve stress. Here are some suggestions: Add 3 drops rose, 2 drops frankincense and 2 drops lavender for a relaxing bath before bed.

Add 3 drops geranium, 3 drops rosemary and 2 drops rosewood for an invigorating bath before attending festivities.

Use neroli and orange oils for electronic stress, if you have been doing all your shopping on line this year.

Of course the effect of stress need not always be negative. The increased resources we experience when we are stressed can galvanise us into action, enabling us to rise to the occasion in difficult circumstances. In this case instead of feeling exhausted we get a feeling of satisfaction from our accomplishments and a sense of physical well-being. Wishing you less stress and more happiness over the Christmas holiday.

*** Camilla Macpherson is co-owner of Nature's Chi Health Store and is currently doing a Bachelor of Science in Natural Health.

Camilla Macpherson