9 minute read
Reflections: This
REFLECTIONS
Count your blessings
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This holiday season express your gratitude for all that is good in your life
One of my favorite holiday movies is “White Christmas.” Every time I watch it, it pulls at my heartstrings — the story, the songs, the acting. It just all comes together for me.
The movie of the same name was inspired by the Christmas song by Irving Berlin. This is the third
Kay JOHNSON
ARTS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR
of three films where Bing Crosby sang the hit song. The first was in “Holiday Inn” (1942) followed by “Blue Skies” (1946) and the third was in the 1954 film.
One of my favorite scenes in the movie is when
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Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney sing “Count Your Blessings.”
The song was written by Irving Berlin and came about when his doctor recommended he try “counting his blessings” as a way to deal with insomnia.
It’s a good reminder that things can always be worse: “When my bankroll is getting small, I PARAMOUNT think of when I It wouldn’t be the holidays without had none at all a showing of “White Christmas.” ... So if you’re The 1954 American musical fi lm worried and you was directed by Michael Curtiz and can’t sleep, count starred Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, your blessings Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen. instead of sheep.”
With the COVID-19 my favorite holiday. It has pandemic engulfing the all the benefits of fellowship world, it’s a good time and good food, without for all of us to reflect on the stress of having to buy the goodness in our lives. presents. Plus, the weather I know I have much to is usually accommodating. be grateful for. I have a One of our Thanksgiving wonderful family, strong traditions is to ask everyone friendships and a job I to write down on slips of enjoy. I also live in a great paper what they are grateful community with safe for. During the festivities, streets, beautiful parks we read them out loud. and caring people. In my You never know what you estimation, I’m wealthy might hear. Family, friends indeed. and good food always get a
We have a small family, mention or two. There are so our Christmas begins also a few rogue comments early before everyone such as an appreciation for scatters to attend to other Fox 9’s Alix Kendall, which extended family obligations. always generates a laugh or
While there’s much to two. love about the season, if I am honest Thanksgiving is Holiday to 5 ➤ Zest • December 2020
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HIGHS AND LOWS
It’s been a year for the record books. This time last year, the idea of a pandemic and being ordered to stay home would have sounded crazy. Plus, the weather has been acting up, too. Who would have predicted snow in October and 70-degree weather in early November? Based on that, it’s hard to know what the weather will be like for Christmas.
Talking about the weather is a unique Minnesota obsession. I remember when friends of mine spent a year in Australia. The weather was the same every day, so it wasn’t a topic of discussion. As soon as they were on the plane from Chicago to Minneapolis, the passengers were talking about the weather. My friend said, “It was good to be home.”
According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, in 120 years of snow depth
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measurements in the Twin Cities, a white Christmas happens about 71 percent of the time. From 1899 to 2018 there have been 35 years with either a “zero” or a “trace.” The last time the Twin Cities has seen a brown Christmas was 2018. The deepest snow cover was on Dec. 25, 1983, with a hefty 20 inches. It was also a very cold Christmas in 1983, with the high temperature of 1 degree above zero. It was not the coldest Christmas Day in the Twin Cities. That dubious award goes to 1996 with a “high”
-- from “Count Your Blessings” by Irving Berlin
temperature of 9 degrees below zero. The warmest Christmas Day in the Twin Cities was 51 degrees in 1922. There was not a white Christmas that year. In fact, the Minneapolis Weather Bureau log book for that day states that the day felt “spring-like.”
Here’s to hoping for a “spring-like” 2020 Christmas! Whether it’s warm outdoors or warm in our hearts, let’s be grateful for the blessings we have, and as the old year ends and the new year begins, let’s look forward to better days ahead.
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Twelve tips for a healthy holiday season Twelve tips for a healthy holiday season
The holiday season is supposed to be joyous, fun and happy. But it can also be stressful. The nation’s emergency physicians remind all Americans to keep their stress in check.
“For many, including emergency physicians, the holidays come with a daunting pile of obligations,” said Dr. Jay Kaplan, past president of the American College of Emergency Physicians. “Don’t overdo it, because you can damage your health and possibly wind up spend- GEORG ARTHUR PFFLUEGER AT UNSPLASH.COM ing the holidays in the emer- The holiday season is about spending time with family gency department.” and friends. Prioritize the important things.
One particular concern is known as “holiday heart” people who are otherwise sive alcohol or caffeine insyndrome. It is an irregular healthy. It can be the result gestion, and/or dehydration. heartbeat that occurs in of stress, lack of sleep, exces- Emergency physicians say this is more common during the holiday season because
HEARING of holiday parties and other events. If an irregular heart-
CARECENTER beat lasts for longer than a few hours, you should seek Providerofmostinsurances medical attention or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. A long to-do list of decorating, buying presents and hosting parties can be overwhelming. It is important to pace yourself, whether it’s eating and drinking or shopping. Much like the “Twelve Days of Christmas” here are the “Twelve Tips For A Healthy Holiday:”
12 — Exercise: This is
extremely important. Go
Specializinginworldfamous to the gym, take regular StarkeyLabHearingAids. walks or run. Make sure you FreeHearingScreening stay active to help reduce the
Dr.FrankPacovsky,Au.D stress level. HearingAidServiceandSales 11 — Watch Your Diet:
LocatedinHutchinsonHealth People tend to eat more quantities of rich foods during the 3CenturyAve.SE,Hutchinson holidays. It’s OK to indulge occasionally, but do it responsibly and in moderation.
10 — Wash Your Hands,
Cover Your Mouth: Just because it’s the holiday season doesn’t mean you can forget about COVID or that it’s also cold and flue season.
9 — Get a Medical
Checkup: If you haven’t had one recently, the holidays might be a good time to visit the doctor and have a routine physical.
8 — Limit Alcohol
Drinking: Excessive alcohol drinking can put stress on your heart and other organs, act as a depressant and cause several serious problems.
7 — Don’t Drink and
Drive: Just because you think you’re OK to drive away from that Christmas party doesn’t mean you are in good shape. Get a designated driver or choose not to drink … period. 6 — Be Organized: Have a plan, make a schedule and do it one step at a time. Do not wait until the last minute to do everything.
5 — Be Cost Effective:
Given the current economic times, no one can blame you for spending less. Keep it simple. Excessive spending can add to stress. 4 — Ask for Help: You can’t be expected to do everything yourself. Ask for help when it comes to shopping and decorating, as well as other tasks. And if you start to feel anxious or depressed, ask for help for yourself! 3 — Sleep: You shouldn’t underestimate the power of
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a good night’s sleep, as well as daily down time. Take a nap, take time for yourself, reenergize and relax. Your body will thank you for it. 2 — Don’t Smoke: Whether it’s the holidays or not, it’s just terrible for your health and you should stop now. 1 — Let It Go: Like the famous song from the film “Frozen” says, just “Let it go,” meaning the world won’t end if you don’t live up to every expectation you set. The holiday season is about spending time with family and friends. Prioritize the important things.
“If you feel chest pain or think you are having a heart attack, call 911 or seek emergency care right away,” Kaplan said. “Don’t postpone treatment because you don’t want to spoil the holidays. In the meantime, take care of
Dr. Jay Kaplan past president of the American College of Emergency Physicians.
yourself now, and reduce that stress.” —
ACEP is the national medical specialty society representing emergency medicine. ACEP is committed to advancing emergency care through continuing education, research and public education. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, ACEP has 53 chapters representing each state, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. A Government Services Chapter represents emergency physicians employed by military branches and other government agencies.
This article was provided by ACEP, the national medical specialty society representing emergency medicine.
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