It's the holiday season and it's supposed to be a time of joy and good cheer: buying gifts, decorating your home, cooking your turkey, hosting family gatherings, attending social functions.

In reality however, these can all be very stressful. We're creatures of habit and the extra demands on our time throw our usual schedule off track.

In addition, unrealistic expectations and over-commercialisation can contribute to our feelings of tension. For all these reasons, for many of us, the Christmas season can be more stressful than festive! A number of studies have shown stress can adversely affect the body -- consider the following facts: According to the American Istitute of Stress, 75-90 percent of employee hospital visits are for ailments linked to stress, resulting in a loss to industry of $200 billion a year; stress is linked to the following illnesses, hypertension, heart attacks, diabetes, asthma, chronic pain, allergies, headache, backache, various skin disorders, cancer and immune system weakness; stress is more powerful than diet in influencing cholesterol levels, reports Dr. Paul Rosch, a Professor of Medicine at New York Medical College; Yale Medical School's Dr. Lawrence Brass says severe stress is one of the most potent risk factors for stroke -- more so than high blood pressure; negative emotions such as stress have the ability to increase our vulnerability to colds and flu bugs, especially common at this time of year; other maladies brought on by stress include depression, anxiety, alcoholism, insomnia and more.

So, as you can see, it is extremely important to learn how to manage stress.

The good news is you can learn to deal with stress and minimise its effects on your body.

The single-most effective tool in combating stress is exercise. Its use as a stress management tool cannot be over-emphasised and research has repeatedly confirmed exercise is highly effective.

Physical activity counteracts elevated blood sugar and stress hormones, increases circulation and reduces muscular tension, all of which help produce a feeling of relaxation.

In addition to combating stress, physical activity will increase your energy, improve your attitude, help you manage your weight and make it easier to resume your normal responsibilities once the holidays are over.

In addition to reducing weight gain during the holiday season, incorporating activity in your daily routine will also help relieve any stress you may feel -- so get up early and fit a walk in before work or Christmas shopping, play football with your kids, take the stairs... find ways to fit exercise into your schedule.

Although exercise is the best universal cure for stress, there are many other things that can also help relieve the symptoms. Here are some ideas that might help you manage your stress this season: Pace yourself -- Rome wasn't built in a day. Organise your time and be realistic about what you can accomplish.

Set aside some time just for yourself and do something you enjoy or something you find relaxing.

Try meditating. There are many different ways to meditate and extensive research has proven its benefits; Hypnotherapy induces a deep state of relaxation and, among many other benefits, helps people to overcome stress-related illness. Self-hypnosis can be learned under the guidance of an experienced hypnotherapist who will teach you how to provide solutions for a lifetime.

Perform a few simple stretches each morning and evening; breathe deeply and slowly as you gradually relax all the muscles in your body.

Learn yoga. It is very relaxing and will help you centre yourself and focus on what is really important.

Get plenty of sleep. We all feel more frustrated when we're tired.

Think about what Christmas really means to you and your loved ones and don't let the pressure get you stressed.

Christmas comes but once a year and it is a time of giving, a time for love and sharing and to remember the people and things that are really important.

So lighten up. Learn to laugh at yourself more freely, smile more often and find joy in simple activities and being with the people you love.

Best wishes to all for the merriest Christmas ever!