Glamour itself swept into Brent Cross last week when 'It' Girl Tara Palmer-Tomkinson launched a range of stress-free shopping initiatives at the centre.

La Tomkinson kept photographers and publicity waiting while she finished her breakfast and reapplied her make-up. Then it was decided what she really needed was a snazzy outfit so she strode off to a nearby clothes shop with her entourage in tow to borrow the teeniest of dresses.

After, she tried out stress-free shopping first-hand by sampling chocolates and a foot massage from one of the centre's all-too-willing bell boys while the paparazzi snapped away.

For us mere mortals, Brent Cross is aiming to make Christmas shopping hassle free Tara-style with extended opening hours and other special facilities.

A leading psychologist was commissioned by the centre and found that fighter pilots, firefighters and Christmas shoppers all have something in common -- high stress levels.

"It's comparable to a fighter pilot going into combat," said Dr David Lewis, of stress levels recorded in Christmas shoppers. "It is very stressful. People don't appreciate how much so."

He is so convinced that shopping is bad for your health that he hints more and more people will shop from home in the future, with catalogues or on the Internet. "In America, $2billion will be spent on Christmas shopping on the Internet," he said.

Seventy per cent of people taking part in Dr Lewis's research showed considerable increases in blood pressure and heartbeat rates the minute they stepped out of their front door. Most men said that the stress was so great it led them to buy the first thing they saw.

The research also showed that loud music in shops sent blood pressure soaring and that shopping with children was better for your health than hitting the stores with a husband or partner.

Brent Cross will use Dr Lewis's findings to make Christmas shopping as stress free as possible.

During the festive period, centre shops will have advisers on hand to help with gift ideas; bell boys will be there in traditional uniform helping with heavy bags and there will be a creche. Kiddy Kars are also on offer for children who want to sneak a look at their presents.

And as if that is not enough, Brent Cross has a number of hints for keeping your head above water: do shopping early, stop for regular drinks and nibbles and eat plenty of carbohydrates to keep energy levels up. Good luck and may the force be with you.

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