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C Seeking seasonal calm from stress That's Life Andy Juniper Guest Contributor 11 | Thursday, December 5, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com anadians are currently experiencing elevated levels of "uncomfortable" or "excessive" stress. Apparently here in the Great White North, it's your basic stressfest. Your basic angst overdose. According to a survey conducted by Sun Life Financial, more than 75 per cent of Canadians -- up ve per cent from last year -- are grappling with at least one source of extreme stress. Most common stresses? Well, money, money, and... money. Everything from personal household nances, to maintaining a budget, unexpected expenses, and worries over retirement savings. You know, I don't think it's any surprise to anyone people in this frenetic day and age are stressed to the max. And it's sure no surprise cash is a cause. Even the other major stressors -- ranging from personal health issues, to work nuttiness, and not having near enough time in a day -- are no huge surprise. The only thing about the survey's ndings that really surprised me -- and by surprised, I mean absolutely shocked -- was the stunning statistic that 23 per cent of those surveyed are not feeling overly stressed at all. Seriously, nearly one-quarter of those quizzed were not letting personal problems (relationships, health concerns), money matters, or even modern-day life's mayhem and madness harsh their mellow. Who are these people, so resistant to stress, so impervious to angst? What are these people: yoga instructors? Mountaintop meditators? Transplanted Californian surfer dudes? Whoever. Whatever. I want to know their secrets. Because December is like a lion lying in wait to ambush an unsuspecting antelope. And, well, December (the lion) just pounced on the unsuspecting antelope (me). The outcome, as you may well imagine, is not pretty for the antelope. Or me. Yes, dear readers, December is upon us, the month an American Psychological Associa- tion survey determined is the most stressful of the year with a whopping 90 per cent respondents saying they get stressed out during the holiday season. Personally speaking, I'm already freakin' out. Certainly there's a cash component to this festive ip-out. Budgets tend to y out the window when it comes to things like buying for everyone we simply have to buy for (imagine Weird Uncle Willard's disappointment if he didn't get his annual gift certi cate for the local taxidermy shop). And repeatedly feeding the ock that gathers at our abode. And stocking the bar for the season's parties. And don't forget all our favorite charities. And.... However, our greatest seasonal stress stems from the general lack of time we have left come December to accomplish the tasks speci c to the season. In rare moments of clarity, we remember that each year, everything somehow always gets done. Still, for the most part, the festive season feels like a free-for-all. A month of madness. Talk about your basic stress-fest, your basic angst overdose. Hey, I know what you're thinking: how do the yoga instructors, mountaintop meditators, and transplanted California surfer dudes deal with all this nuttiness? Seriously, I want to know their secrets. -- Andy Juniper can be contacted at ajjuniper@gmail.com, found on Facebook www. facebook.com, or followed on Twitter at www.twitter.com/thesportjesters. CONTEMPORARY QUALITY HOME FURNITURE - LEATHER/FABRIC SOFA SETS - BEDROOM SETS MATTRESSES & BOX SPRINGS - DINING/PUB SETS - COFFEE TABLES/SOFA TABLES FRAMED ARTWORK - SPORTS MEMORABILIA - HOME DECOR ITEMS - GIFT ITEMS - ACCESSORIES DISCOVER THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF PLAYMOBIL TOYS! At our store in Mississauga TERMS & CONDITIONS: PAYMENTS - CASH, VISA, M/C OR DEBIT. BUYERS PREMIUM APPLIES. PRODUCTS MAY DIFFER FROM PICTURES ILLUSTRATIONS AS SHOWN AND DESCRIBED. ITEMS SUBJECT TO ADDITIONS & DELETIONS. ADDITIONAL TERMS & CONDITIONS AS POSTED AND ANNOUNCED.