Ah the holidays…..the happiest time of year. The most joyful time of year. Everything is wonderful and full of excitement….presents, lights, trees, cookies, etc. Everything is amazing…..except when it isn’t. You know what I mean, right? On paper the season looks good, but most of us go through in a stupor of anxiety, pressure, stress, debt, and junk food. Add up those factors with the frustration of feeling those factors and you have yourself in line to be a first class mess. Have you ever found yourself there? The only thing being stretched tighter than your belt line during the holidays is your budget of both time and money. Doing too much with too little will always lead to your breakdown.
Now have I painted a wonderful picture of the season for you? Are you feeling even more down now? I’m sorry for that, but have no fear. My purpose today is not to stress you further, but to tell you it is not too late to make this season different. Your chiropractic fairy godmother….er, godfather (now channeling Marlon Brando) is here to give you a holiday survival guide based on one very powerful gift: the word “no”.
Now you may know this word, but do you really know it. Are you using it? If not, prepare to be empowered. During the holidays you will be asked to eat too much, spend too much, and do too much. Now I know you will want to do all of these or more truthfully feel obligated to do all of these but you don’t have too. Asked to be involved in planning a party that you don’t want to be involved in? Try it…..”no”. Feels good, right? Want thirds on dessert? “No”. But Mommy I want more presents! “No”. See feels really good!
The point is this: the holidays are about friends, family, and faith. Keep it this way. We let all the external junk overwhelm us and we lose our way. The instead of enjoying the family and having a great holiday, we hit January 1 just trying to breathe and maybe even happy the holidays are done. I don’t want this for you. Instead try this: choose the few key event/activities that are important to you and the rest get a “no” or set a budget for your spending and after that “no”. It really is easy but you have to be focused on it. When you begin to choose the things that are important to you and saying “no” to the extra heightened demands of the season you are left with the time and sanity to truly enjoy the holiday.
The last thing I will say to you in terms of holiday survival is to not let your health slip. If you want to enjoy your season you have to feel well and be well. Now, saying “no” to the extra stuff will help this because you will be less stressed overall. Still, remember to budget time to stay healthy. Time to sleep, time to exercise and rest. Time to keep you adjustment schedule. Nerve flow and the the intelligence of the body functioning well are even more important when you are trying to fit a lot in to your life and schedule. As for the holiday weight gain that seems to come and hamper health, I think it is crazy to think that you won’t eat any treats at all, but the key it to not be crazy. I say eat what you want ON Thanksgiving and Christmas, not FROM Thanksgiving to Christmas. Make sense? Two bad days won’t destroy you, but a bad month will.
So there it is. It is a little counter intuitive, but in the season of giving I’m asking you to think of you. This isn’t a matter of selfishness, but of reality. A overstretched, stressed out you doesn’t help you or your loved ones, but a focused, healthy, rested you can truly love and enjoy those around you! Wishing you and yours a blessed holiday!
Health to you from above-down, inside-out, Dr. Graham, chiropractor