November 24, 2008 Archives

Can't see the film? Click here to watch it.

On the programme tonight I advised One Show viewers to recognise what a bloated consumer nightmare Christmas has become.

We all have to stop giving presents and start giving to charity instead, and here's why...

I've got a Christmas confession. My three daughters get so many presents at Christmas that, once the celebrations are over, my wife and I collect up the ones we don't like and give them to the local charity shop.

There you go, I've said it. We steal our own children's Christmas presents!

It sounds awful but I don't think it makes me Scrooge because - let's be honest here - most presents are rubbish.

My kids just get loads more "stuff" than they've already got each year - from bears and dolls to necklace kits and fancy clothes and more.

What's more we live in a small house and if we didn't chuck out some of their gifts we would be engulfed in a tsunami of tat.

Now if you're still not persuaded I'm doing the right thing then here's what I hope will be the clincher - the kids don't even notice.

That's right, they've got so much stuff already, they don't notice when we half inch their new toys.

So why this festive frankness, you are probably wondering?

Well, my argument is this: if my children don't notice when we nick their presents then the chances are that you can probably do without most of yours too.

A few decades ago you probably needed the socks that your mum gave you or the saucepan Auntie Alice popped under the tree. These days it is different. Consumer goods are so cheap and plentiful that all of us - children included - have tons of stuff.

So here's my Christmas message: just say no to this glut of giving.

I'm not saying no presents at all. If you want to mark the season why not make a donation to charity on behalf of your friends and loved ones instead?

Think about it. A good cause gets your cash AND both you and your loved ones get to feel good about it! It's the Christmas gift that just goes on giving.

You know it makes sense...don't you?

Michael Mosley begins stress week by looking at the various causes of stress in the workplace by following event organiser, Justin Clarke, through his busy week to note the effects on his body.

How stressed are you? Take our test.

Tips to combat stress:

Physical exercises can definitely help with 'in the moment' stress. For example: stretching, shoulder shrugging, controlled breathing.

Keeping fit helps with stress and is a good way of unwinding and clearing the mind. For example - going for a run, swimming, the gym. This can also help with long-term stress.

Green spaces - Studies have shown that being around green spaces can reduce blood pressure and stress levels, and possibly help people heal faster after surgery.

Juggling - In addition to the benefits achieved as a form of play, research published in the journal Nature has found that learning to juggle actually increases brain size. It has also been shown to reduce stress levels and improve mood and concentration.

Chanting - Experts have found that Gregorian chanting could promote a sense of well-being and help people to cope with pressure.

Turkey - Turkey isn't just for Christmas. Along with salmon it is great for a protein called tryptophan. Low levels of this (women seem to be especially prone) impede your brain's ability to make serotonin, a nerve transmitter that helps to lift your mood and reduce anxiety and panic attacks, as well as helping you to sleep.

No alcohol and caffeine - Though alcohol is a stimulant in low doses, it also depletes the brain's mood elevator, serotonin. Caffeine blocks the soothing effects of the brain's "feel-good" messenger called GABA (gamma-amino butyric acid) that can calm mood.

How do you deal with stress? Do you have hints and tips you recommend?