VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 12 • DECEMBER 2012
A SLICE OF ORANGE Refreshing Your Health
ENJOY A STRESS-FREE CHRISTMAS • Staying happy • Money matters • Have a restful Christmas
Enjoy a stressfree Christmas ‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY, NOT STRESSED. HOW DO YOU FILL YOUR HOLIDAYS WITH CHEER? In last year’s December issue of A Slice of Orange, we talked about being depressed during Christmas. While not everyone becomes depressed during
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the holidays, almost everyone becomes stressed— which can easily ruin your Christmas spirit … and your health.
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Stress-mas is usually because of four general reasons: • Loneliness and strained relationships. The expectations of merriment and goodwill magnify any relational turmoil we would otherwise handle well on any other time of the year. • Money strains. The daily expenses can be stressful enough; add the expenses of parties and gifts, and you get a perfect storm. • The Christmas rush and physical tiredness. Juggling work, practicing for Christmas party performances, Christmas shopping, overexcited children, jumping from one party to another, and the Christmas traffic is physically and emotionally draining. • Overindulgence in rich foods and alcohol.
VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 12 • DECEMBER 2012
Hence, it is very important to keep yourself stress-free during Christmas. Here’s how. Staying happy
If you expect to feel lonely or have relational strains during the holidays, here are some suggestions to stay happy: Have a healthy Noche Buena Enjoy this healthy and filling dish for Noche Buena, courtesy of eatright.ph.
• Make realistic expectations. Do not expect that the Christmas spirit will magically make all your troubles with friends and family go away. Instead, buck up and handle these issues as you would on any other time of the year. If you are at fault, apologize and make up. If you are guiltless, it wouldn’t hurt to be the first to extend a hand of reconciliation, right? If things still don’t fall into place, remember that these are external
Creamy Chicken with Broccoli and Pasta Ingredients 1½ cups wholemeal pasta 2 tbsp olive oil 500 grams chicken breast, cut into strips 2 tbsp lemon rind 200 grams mushrooms, sliced 500 grams broccoli florets 60 grams reduced fat cream cheese Lightly steam the broccoli florets for 4 minutes. Add the pasta to a pan of water and cook it according to the instructions. While cooking, heat the olive oil in a large pan and add the chicken breast, lemon rind and sliced mushrooms. Let that cook for about 8 minutes turning the chicken over to make sure it’s completely cooked. Once cooked, add broccoli florets and cream cheese. Top over pasta. Stir until cheese has completely melted through the dish. Season with black pepper.
EVEN SHORT PERIODS OF STRESS CAN LOWER YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM, AND INCREASE YOUR RISK OF SUFFERING FROM A HEART ATTACK OR STROKE
Many people do not even know they are stressed, because the stress is masked by all the euphoria of the season. However, tiredness, overindulgence, and short-temperedness can be signs of stress. As we have repeatedly emphasized in several issues of A Slice of Orange, stress does not come without a price tag. Even short periods of stress can lower your immune system, and increase your risk of suffering from a heart attack or stroke. Many emergency rooms become filled with victims of these catastrophic conditions during or immediately after Christmas parties.
occurrences that do not devaluate you in any way. • Keep your emotions in check. Use relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or happy thoughts (“look at the bright side”). The objective is not to solve your problems, but to keep your self happy. • It is tempting to drown your sorrows in alcohol and drugs. Don’t. They only make things worse, physically and emotionally. • Feeling lonely? If you will be spending Christmas alone, talk to a dear friend about spending your Christmas celebrations with them.
This may seem imposing, but if he or she is a true friend, he or she will understand. (If you know someone who will be alone this Christmas, take the initiative and invite him or her already. Feel your heart grow warm after.)
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VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 12 • DECEMBER 2012
committed to going to another party,” and “My relative from overseas scheduled a get-together on that day.” Have a restful Christmas • You don’t need to slave over a stove to have a great party. Have your • With the traffic and the lines, shopping is one of the most event catered instead. Catering stressful activities during Christmas. services such as thesexychef.ph and Money matters Since it is a bit too late to tell you facebook.com/foodprintph can Cope with the stresses of to do your Christmas shopping before serve healthy yet tasty treats. expenses with the following tips: December, do your shopping online • Schedule time-outs. Intimate parties or instead. Visit eBay.ph or zalora.com. get-together with really close friends ph. Have them gift-wrapped, or buy can be used to de-stress, while at • Set a budget. The Christmas euphoria can easily make you wrapping online as well. the same time enjoying a overspend. Jot down your budget • If you do have to rush to the malls for mini-Christmas party. way beforehand. Set a limit on the shopping, keep it stress-free. Wear • You may be tempted to skip your price of gifts for each person. comfortable shoes. Bring a stroller work-outs. Resist this temptation. so you can just pull your load instead Keeping yourself active improves • Buy presents only for the children. of carrying it. Leave the children at your endurance, adds more energy, • If you have a big family, lessen the number of people you have to give home. Bag your gifts instead of and helps you get better sleep to gifts to by playing Kris Kringle wrapping them. recharge yourself. instead. So you only need to buy a • Schedule your parties and gift for one person! commitments. And to help you with Now take a deep breath, smile, sing Jingle Bells in your head, and have a stress• Ignore your neighbor – at least their this, learn to say “no” to some decorations and parties. Christmas is people. A good excuse is, “I already free and healthy Christmas! • Sing! A psychological theory states that your emotions follow your actions. Sing Christmas songs aloud and with zest. There is no way you can do this and not feel like smiling at laughing (at yourself, sometimes) afterwards.
not a competition about who set up the brightest lights or the noisiest parties.
Happy Holidays Looking to enhance your corporate healthcare benefits? E-mail us at benefits@activelinkbenefits.com. The information in this newsletter is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Consult a doctor for all matters relating to your health, particularly for symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. © 2012 ActiveLink
Benefits Made Better
ActiveLink 7/F Electra House Building 115-117 Esteban St., Legaspi Village, Makati City www.activelinkbenefits.com
A Slice of Orange
is a newsletter designed to help clarify basic health information and offer juicy tips on uplifting your health.
Editorial team Alvin Delfin Christine Llenes-Delfin Ivan Olegario, MD