It’s a funny thing, you either love Christmas or hate it. At the moment I reckon it’s about 50 50, but the haters are growing every year. In days gone by, when people were less wealthy, it was special to have a couple of days break at Christmas. Yes, it was just a couple of days, not the two week marathon that many enjoy today. When you know that you only have two days to rest and relax you savour it.

I do not want to follow the media and talk about the true meaning of Christmas, that’s already been done to death. Let’s look at something a bit more practical, which is how to deal with it.

A nice cup of tea

After a long day hitting the shops in the mall you need a sit down to rest your feet and take a break. Unfortunately, I am not talking about the black tea we drink and love, but the green variety. Green tea contains quite high levels of a chemical called Theanine which has proven benefits for anxiety and high blood pressure. The Chinese use it for headaches and depression. In addition to Theanine, EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant which inhibits the abnormal formation of blood clots. This is important in that they play a major part in heart conditions, which can be put under ever more pressure at stressful times like Christmas.

The French Paradox

The French, despite not liking us and consuming a rich diet of fat in their delicious food, have a lower incidence of heart disease than just about anyone else in the world. The answer lies in red wine, which contains a potent chemical called resveratrol, which helps nullify the harmful effects of the diet. However, researchers University of Kansas determined that EGCG was twice as powerful as resveratrol.

Helps your Gnashers too!

Yep while you are having your sit down and drinking your tea you’re benefiting your teeth too at the chemical in the tea strengthens your teeth.

Triggers the Long Life Gene

There are some researchers who have found that the chemicals in green tea can trigger dormant genes associated with long life, this is obviously at an early stage.

Green Tea Yuk!

This is often the reaction when you suggest drinking green tea, but if you add lemon it tastes delicious. I was not a great lover of green tea until lemon was added.

Qigong

Practise your Qigong. The deeper breathing associated with Qigong is associated with calm and relaxation and lowering your heart rate. Do not artificially slow your breathing as practising Qigong will do it naturally, without disturbing your breathing rate. Just five minutes will leave you calm and relaxed.

Tai Chi

The ultimate de stressor is Tai Chi, proven over and over for centuries. But, as we are still in the coffee shop in the mall it might be a little awkward doing Grasp the Birds Tail between the seats!

Have a great Christmas don’t eat too much. Of course you will, just joking.

John Hine