Balancing Health with the Holydays

          2007 was the first time in twenty years that I did not have an office holiday party to attend. I kinda missed the idea of seeing a huge spread of all the food I rarely eat: jumbo shrimp, crab balls, cheese in every form, chocolate fountains, breaded everything. Sigh. And what about our office Yankee swap, aka Chinese gift exchange or Dirty Santa? I always brought something I loved just in case somebody swiped the present I excitedly unwrapped and could envision using. I was often in a quandary, trying to figure out if I should take something mediocre from someone else, or innocently select my gift, either still wrapped and in the center of the pile or in someone else’s possession, with their expression clearly indicating they do not have a true appreciation of the item. I really do miss those days. The good news is, as a corporate office-less entrepreneur six years later, I haven’t had to contend with the stress of those extra calories, and I can save money, too. Darn :-/

          According to a study conducted by Prevention Magazine and Dateline NBC, 41 percent of people rate Christmas and Hanukkah stress right up there with asking the boss for a raise.  Women are more likely to feel stressed out, and the biggest stressor is money. According to Mental Health America, chaotic schedules join money concerns as some of the top sources of holiday stress, and parents in general feel more stressed than most groups. What does this indicate for all of us?  I believe I have a unique perspective to offer on this issue.

           

          As a natural and holistic health practitioner, I am used to marching to the beat of a different drummer. So why get carried away following behind the Little Drummer Boy as he parades through shopping mall after shopping mall, from party to party until we are too tired to celebrate whatever holiday we may choose—Advent, Christmas, Hanukkah, Yule, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, etc. Below are five tips I have found help me balance health—mind, body, and spirit—with the holidays, and helping them feel more like holy days.

1)      Connect with others. Plan some family rituals that do not include TV, smart phones, tablets, laptops or interruptions from other sources. Also, the holidays can be lonely if you are away from family. In this situation, make plans to spend time with your “chosen family” and to engage in their family celebrations, or create one on your own that has meaning for you. Additionally, you can attend spiritual or cultural events offered in your area. Even those of you living in the most remote, rural areas will be able to find something.

2)      Get plenty of rest. Don’t commit yourself to attending every activity to which you are invited. Try to fit in a refreshing 20-minute nap if you do decide to burn the kinara or menorah candles at both ends. If your body tells you to slow down, listen. Otherwise, your memories of shaking your groove thing won’t mean anything if you end up with fatigue, impaired thinking, accidents, a compromised immune system, or other consequences of insufficient rest.

3)      Get proper nutrition. Holiday celebrations are prime opportunities to steer off your usual diet. Indulge in moderation—that means food and alcohol. A good tip is to eat a light snack prior to attending a party, to ward off the Starvin’ Marvin Syndrome.  Also drink a full glass of water prior to eating a large meal. If you are attending a potluck, make sure to take a dish YOU can eat, in case there are no others. Try to avoid drinks high in caffeine and sugar, which can leave you feeling fatigued.

4)      Focus on lots of meaning versus lots of money if you exchange gifts. Don’t feel obligated to purchase gifts. Investing time and talent can be appreciated as much as, if not more than, giving treasure. The gift of time can be precious, as mentioned in tip #1. As for talent, use your craft or skill to make items, and start early. If you have a service specialty, give out gift certificates. In the event your family and friends are tired of your massages (as if!), barter your skill with someone else to provide loved ones with services such as meal preparation, a mani-pedi, house-cleaning, car-detailing, a coaching session, or personal training.

5)      Leave something in the stocking for yourself. Take time out to show love and appreciation for you by practicing self-care activities that support and sustain you. Hot baths, meditation, yoga, exercise, spending time in nature, reading,  journaling, and pursuing your creative outlets are just some of the ways to sweeten your life.

          I bid you all love, peace, joy, abundance—and balance—as you remember the various reasons for this multi-holy-dayed season.