The last-minute shopping...those fraught family gatherings...the constant round of eating and drinking - for many of us Christmas has become one of the most stressful times of the year. And the anxiety and worry we experience can cause a range of health problems, from indigestion to insomnia. This year, make sure you don't lose your seasonal sparkle by following our 12 natural ways to keep tension at bay at all times.

By Annabel Saladino

When Christmas lists start whirring through your mind at night, Ed Berger, a medical herbalist based in Suffolk, recommends passion flower to help you sleep better. If festive stress is also giving you a nervous digestive system or you feel bloated, camomile is a good option, he says. (It is best to check with your GP before using herbal remedies if you are on other medication.)

10 ways to get a good night's sleep

After wading your way through the throng of Christmas shoppers, taking time out to clear your mind could help get your pulse back to a calmer beat. An analysis of research published in the American Journal of Hypertension found that practising transcendental meditation for 20 minutes twice a day seemed to reduce blood pressure significantly.

This backs up other studies suggesting that deep relaxation induced by meditation, deep breathing or prayer, could help to control hypertension.

More meditation tips...

Be liberal with your festive foliage and it should help make your home both a calming place in which to unwind and an uplifting environment for entertaining friends. "Having greenery in your home creates a feeling of comfort, relaxation and space," says feng shui expert Dawn Gibbins. "At this time of year, a Christmas tree will enhance the atmosphere with its fragrance; ivy will bring oxygen; and the colour of a red poinsettia will provide positive energy." 

Create a Christmas wreath...

Christmas lunch is the final hurdle of the season. So it may surprise you to learn that the sometimes dreaded turkey could help boost your spirits. "It's a good source of the amino acid tryptophan," says Lisa Miles, a senior nutrition scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation. "This can be converted by the body into the feel-good neurotransmitter serotonin, known to elevate mood." For that other immune system essential - selenium - crack open some Brazil nuts. But if you're in search of a short-term energy fix, don't reach for chocolates. "Maintain steady energy levels throughout the day by eating regular, healthy meals," Lisa Miles advises.

Seasonal superfoods...

The weight of Christmas chores (not to mention shopping) can lie heavily across the shoulders. Try this yoga stretch to release built-up tension, says leading yoga expert Barbara Currie: "Stand up straight, interlock your hands in front of you and then turn them inside out so you're looking at the back of them. Now stretch up as high as you can and imagine you are pushing the ceiling up with your palms. Keep pushing and pushing upwards, and then slowly lower your arms." 

More yoga for everyone...