Skip to main content

Avoid holiday stress that could tie you up


It is possible to enjoy the holidays without becoming totally stressed and exhausted. Here are a few ways to do it:

* Shopping: Order early from the Web. Late purchases can be shipped overnight, but be sure to make a record of each purchase, and follow up to see if it arrived. General rule: Ship gifts by December 15. 

* Decorating: Your place will look warm and inviting with just one or two displays. No need to decorate inside and out. Finish decorating by the first week of December. 

* Baking: If you are busy, give yourself a break and shop a bakery.

* Christmas dinner: Forget a hundred side dishes. Make a turkey, rib roast or ham and add baked potatoes, vegetables, and salad. Keep it simple. 

* Demand appearances: Schedule early so there is no confusion. If two sets of parents want you to celebrate with them, schedule one for Christmas (afternoon after your private celebration) and one for Christmas Eve. Consider visits on Sunday before Christmas or the Saturday after. 

* Gift wrapping: Consider gift bags or gift boxes and just add a bow. 

* Caring for yourself: Try not to disturb your normal sleep and exercise schedule. Enjoy small, quiet moments.

* Holiday food: Don't go to holiday dinners famished. Take a small portion of the offered dishes. Stop eating before you feel full. 

* Relatives: Decide that you will enjoy a get-together even if some guests aggravate you. Consider the source and take it in stride.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Adopting a Vegetarian Diet

Adopting a vegetarian diet has become a popular choice for individuals looking to improve their health, particularly as heart disease and obesity rates continue to rise in many parts of the world. Vegetarians tend to have lower cholesterol levels and consume fewer trans fats than those who consume meat and dairy products. However, to maintain good health, vegetarians must ensure they obtain the right amount of nutrients from their vegan diets. By taking care to plan their diets carefully, vegetarians can enjoy a satisfying and tasty way of life. While there is no established vegan diet, it is widely agreed that with so many vegetarian diets to choose from, the choice is ultimately up to the individual. However, vegetarians must be cautious not to make their diets too restrictive as this can lead to difficulties in meeting the body's daily nutritional requirements. Commonly deficient nutrients among vegetarians include protein, iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, and zinc. Soy pr...

THE TRUTH ABOUT MENOPAUSE, WEIGHT GAIN AND "THE POOCH"

By Colleen McCleery, MD, OB/GYN—Exuberan® by Virtua Menopause is a mixed bag of little surprises. While most women look forward to saying goodbye to tampons and pads, far fewer are excited to now experience hot flashes and night sweats. And it’s probably fair to say that weight gain is the least popular and often least expected “side effect” of this hormonal shift. Considering many women struggle with their weight on a good day, it’s not surprising that this is the number one complaint from patients who are going through this transition. The biology of menopause During the late 40s to mid-50s, a hormone called FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) increases and no longer performs its job to regulate the ovaries. During this increase in FSH, other hormones like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone decrease. A decrease in testosterone can lead to weight gain and decreased energy. And, not surprisingly, estrogen loss has far-reaching effects beyond hot flashes. It contribut...

Is White Wine Good For Your Heart?

Is white wine as "heart healthy" as red wine? Here’s what you should know about the heart health benefits of white wine. The answer is  probably  -- though researchers continue to debate the question. Some studies have indicated that red wine is modestly better for the heart than white wine (or beer or spirits) because it contains resveratrol -- a polyphenol (plant chemical) associated with cardiovascular benefits, including reduced risk of heart attack. Resveratrol is found in the seeds and skin of grapes, which are crushed together with the pulp to make red wine. White wines, on the other hand, are made with just pulp and therefore contain very little resveratrol. But recent studies have shown that the pulp does contain other polyphenols that may be heart healthy. Moreover, although red and white wines differ in polyphenol composition, both contain similar amounts of alcohol -- which is known to increase level s of HDL ("good") cholesterol and prevent bl...