Your Health Matters – 12.09.09

By Claudia Parks rn
Columnist

A few weekends ago I had a birthday and I traveled down to Atlanta with my husband to see friends and family and sort of celebrate!  The grandchildren always have a lot of questions—mainly questioning of my age—of which they have no real concept!   I tell my children, “I don’t think of being or feeling older until I think about how old they are!”  (I’m trying to put them in their place!)   Anyway, we were putting the final arrangements together as to how we would celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas together.  My contribution, “Don’t expect us to do all the work—you’re at the age to start doing it!”  They were attempting to convince me that, “All of us want to come up to the mountains!  It just might snow!”

How do we all get so busy and stressed at this time of the year—it seems to start earlier—around the first of October or before!   Our calendars are filled with extra plans and events and we continue to push ourselves to do more—because we really want to and enjoy the fun and fellowship and often times we feel obligated to attend a function.

This year’s economic uncertainties are adding to the stress factors among many people, especially at this time of the year.  There are hundreds of thousand Americans—all ages– who have never been through Christmas with this kind of financial uncertainty that we are seeing today.   Money is always at the top of the list of causes of stress!   Many families are cutting back on their spending—trying to stick to their financial budget.   You can show love and caring by getting a gift that you know is meaningful and personal for that person and doesn’t have to cost a lot.  Spend some special time with someone!

Recognizing What Causes Stress During the Holidays and What Helps to Overcome it:

·         Set realistic goals for yourself.  Be realistic about what you can do and cannot do.  Pace yourself.   Make a list and prioritize.  Plan ahead and delegate!

·         Remember the holiday season does not banish reasons for feeling sad or lonely.   Families are usually a focal point for holiday anxieties.  And when family members are serving in the military overseas, have died in the past year, or are estranged from the family, the pressure to have a perfect holiday gathering can cause ordinary social tension to become unbearable.

·         Leave “yesteryear” in the past and look toward the future.    Life brings changes.  Each season is different and can be enjoyed in its own way.  Don’t set yourself up in comparing today with the “good ol’ days.”

·         Parents need to tell their children to be realistic.  It is OK to say to your child that a certain toy is too expensive, and even Santa Claus has limited funds.  Children have to learn that their wish is not someone’s command and to curb their desires for instant gratification.

·         Enjoy activities that are free, such as taking a drive to look at holiday decorations, going window shopping or playing with the children.

·         Do something for someone else.  Try volunteering some of your time to help others.

·         Be aware that excessive drinking will only increase your feelings of depression.

·         Enjoy the journey, not just the destination.  Don’t “dread” any part of it, the shopping, the wrapping, the cooking, the cleaning, etc.  Find fun and happiness in all of it.

·         Try something new.  Celebrate the holidays in a new way.  (We took a holiday cruise one year—had a great time—taking another this year!)

·         Spend time with supportive and caring people.   Reach out and make new friends, or contact someone you haven’t heard from in a while.

·         Save time for yourself!  Recharge your batteries!  Let others share in the responsibility of planning activities.

There are a variety of stresses in our lives and there are 120 million Americans taking medications for stress!  Sadly to say, the holiday season increases the number of prescriptions filled.  Let’s try to remember what the season is really all about and the quote by Reuel Howe: Persons are to be loved; things are to be used.

Claudia Parks, RN, is a former doctor’s office and emergency room nurse and retired as an educator from Fulton County Schools.  She writes Your Health Matters as a public service; the information here is designed to help you make informed choices about your health.  It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of your physician.  Claudia and her husband make their home in the beautiful north Georgia Mountains, near Blairsville.  Claudia can be reached at yhm@windstream.net