NOVEMBER 28, 2014
HEALTH & BEAUTY
THEPRESS.NET
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Tips to surviving the holidays by Dr. Margaret M. Stahler Just when you may be recovering from decorating for Halloween, Thanksgiving is just around the corner, followed by several more high-demand holidays. What to do when you are already looking forward to it all being over? If you are dreading the holidays, you are not alone. The average person overspends, gains 8 to 15 pounds from overeating, drinks too much alcohol, wears out or gets sick, can feel inadequate to the tasks required, and in January, dreads opening the credit card bills. Nostalgia, a sense of family or cultural obligation, or the Madison Avenue advertising blitz controls our household’s actions. Or do they? Right now is the time to say, “Wait a minute, what do I want to create for myself and the people I care about?” Take time to think if a Plan B can be developed to reduce the stress, depression
and anxiety that holidays can sometimes generate. One immediate relief is to scale back on everything in order to restore some sanity during this complicated holiday season. Keep in mind that every thing you take out of a box to decorate with, has to be put away. Things look a lot different on Jan. 2. If there are situations and people that detract from your happiness, avoid them. Most heart attacks are precipitated by stress, and often, people find themselves thrown into visits with relatives they have been steering clear of since the last holiday get together. Remember, life is all about choices. Even if you have no family or friends in the area where you live, engage in things you like to do. A very important word to learn the use of is ‘no’. If you don’t feel up to participating, pick and choose activities that have the most meaning to you. Stay active and involved in your healthful habits, such as working out and eating sensibly. Take time out of the holiday whirlwind to
be outside in nature and explore or reflect on the blessings in your life. Be realistic about which traditions and rituals you want to practice, and which foods to include in the holiday meal. Don’t live with regrets such as phone calls not made or missed connections to those you care about. People may not be in your life anymore in the coming year, so reach out to others to get out of your
own funk. Take time to reflect on those loved ones you have lost with the passing of time and honor their memory by recalling joyful times spent together that can never be lost from your consciousness. Go lightly into this time of year, with a keen navigational sense toward happiness. Dr. Stahler, ND, MPH, PhD, is with Madrona Naturopathic Medicine. To comment, visit thepress.net.
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