Dr. Joel’s Health and
Wellness Catalyst Blog for November
While everyone’s challenges and stresses may differ during the
holiday season, the approaches to having the most enjoyment and fun, and the
least stress during this time can be priceless. Between the work that is needed to prepare food and buy
presents, and the challenges of potentially difficult family members (perhaps
with opposing political views), lots of junk food calling out and/or the stress
of ongoing work, home and/or other to do lists, we can often feel
overwhelmed. Drawing on lessons
from past experiences and our current resources, as well as planning ahead can
make all the difference.
What are your biggest
challenges or stressors?
Identifying these at the beginning can be most important. We also have strengths and weaknesses, enjoyable
and torturesome tasks to do, and circumstances that push our buttons, so be
present to these situations, and see if there are more effective or manageable
ways to get them done. Talk with
family members or friends to make decisions that work best for you and your
family, and develop a plan that hopefully finds the right balance.
Remember the true
meaning of the Holidays?
Thanksgiving just finished – what a great holiday
(definitely one of my favorites), and a chance to spend time with family and/or
friends to reflect on all that we have to be truly thankful for and/or to be in
action or think of others who may not have as much to be thankful for. It is also a wonderful time to get some
needed rest and relaxation, fun, and possibly plan for and prepare for the
Holidays in December. In addition
to gratitude, consideration of loving kindness, service, mindfulness and peace
for ourselves, our families and our communities, these all can provide the
meaning and themes for this time of the year.
Take steps to manage
the stress or plan for the framework of steps:
1.
Keep up
with regular exercise – even if it is less than usual, do what you can and
it will make a difference especially if you can do some others below
2.
Find the
right balance that you need of healthy foods and other foods that are not
as healthy but may be important for you to enjoy the holidays. Set guidelines for holiday meals,
parties, and foods that are kept at work or at home that might be tempting but
also might cause you to feel tired, upset your stomach, give you a headache or
just cause you to gain weight
3.
Continue
your regular practice of relaxation techniques – mindfulness, meditation,
prayer, breathing exercises and other approaches. Again, even if you are not able to do as much as you usually
do, whatever you can do will be helpful and help to balance the stress
4.
Ask for
help – who can you go to if you need assistance to get things done
5.
Contact
your go to people – who can you go see or call to talk about how you are
feeling or the challenges or problems that you are dealing with
6.
Seek
assistance or connect with your counselor, psychologist or social worker –
this is why you have a practitioner as part of your healthcare team (or if it
would be helpful, find someone), since this is also an opportunity to work
through relationships or developmental issues that will tend to reappear until
we fully address them, find completion and/or find peace with it/them
7.
If you
are trying to lose weight, you may want to consider a different goal to
maintain your weight during this time and start fresh again after the New Year
to lose weight – not necessary for some but very important for others
Other Considerations
1.
Plan some
of your favorite rituals to connect with the true meaning and joy of the
holiday – this can be so many things from decorating for the holidays, to
favorite or funny movies, to cultural activities, to sing-alongs, other musical
performances and sporting events
2.
Take
breaks or set aside time to do nothing or check in with how everything is
going
Have a very Happy and
Healthy Holiday Season!!
