The holidays are a time of joy, but for many people, they are also a time
of anxiety, depression, addictive behaviors and/or stress. Our mental health
and our physical health are definitely intertwined. It has been shown that
when individuals experience mental ailments (i.e. stress, anxiety, addictions,
mood and sleep disorders, eating issues), they are more likely to be 
at risk for contracting other diseases and physical illnesses. 

Below are some tips for staying as healthy as you can over the holiday season, so that you can enjoy the true meaning of the holidays:

1.  Drink green tea or give it as a gift. A compound in green tea called l-theanine has been shown to reduce stress and help calm people’s nerves. We can all drink to that over the holidays.

2.  If you have trouble falling asleep (or staying asleep), certain foods can help you.
Try eating an evening or bedtime snack of whole grain foods, in addition to a small
amount of certain proteins (eggs, chicken, turkey, dairy products, nuts and seeds, soy
products.) In addition, you may consider taking a B complex supplement in the afternoon
or evening. B vitamins help to relax people and are often called “the happy vitamins.”
Avoid all forms of caffeine if you have trouble sleeping.

3. If you do not have an exercise program, take a walk for 30 or 40 minutes, three times
a week. If you want to encourage a family member or friend to exercise, ask them
if they would like to join you for a few personal training sessions at a local gym.
Many gyms will let 2 or 3 people participate in the same session, which cuts the cost.
What an amazing gift, the gift of health, by jump starting a loved one’s fitness routine and helping them become as healthy and happy as they can be.

4. Negative relationships can drain our energy. For dealing with people that drain your energy over the holidays, try this approach: When you start to feel angry or stressed or resentful, take 4 or 5 deep breaths and feel your feet planted firmly on the ground. Closing your eyes can also help. Feeling grounded and in control will help you speak nicely and act kindly to those individuals who tend to make you angry.

5. Help educate others about the chemicals in our environment and how they may
impact our health. There are many chemicals in shampoos, lotions, deodorants,
cosmetics and cleaners that can negatively impact our health, and are linked to cancer, birth defects, and many other illnesses. When purchasing health
and beauty care items for loved ones over the holidays, shop for safer options.
If you go to www.safecosmetics.org, you can find a list of products and companies
that have pledged to remove harmful chemicals from their products. Also, purchasing
body care items from Trader Joes, Whole Foods and Vitamin Shoppe is a safer option.
 
 

6. For family members and friends that have addictions, give them the following link,
with a note telling them that you love them: www.racingforrecovery.com which helps
addicts find positive alternatives to addiction.

7. If you feel lost and need help in finding resources and additional solutions for a current health problem experienced by you or a loved one, go to www.mentalhealthalternatives.com, and click on “contact us”. For no charge, they will contact you and empower you with resources, articles and treatments in your area that can help to make you feel better. To experience the joy of the holidays, feeling good should be a priority.

8. If you live with or know a parent or other loved one that is overwhelmed,
tired or stressed out, consider giving them a gift that will allow them some
time to be alone and to find peace within. Giving a gift certificate to a massage therapist,
an acupuncturist, or a yoga studio can be very beneficial to one’s mental health and physical health. If that is not within the budget, have children make “coupons” that give the parent a certain amount of time each week to engage in a peaceful activity.

9. Keep the homeopathic remedy “Cold Calm,”(which is completely safe and has no side effects) nearby over the holidays.  At the first sign of a cold, adults and children 3 and over can take this natural remedy to reduce the length and the symptoms of the cold. Cold Calm can be purchased at Vitamin Shoppe or Whole Foods. These stores carry a different homeopathic remedy for babies called “C Plus Cold.” It is no fun to be sick, and we all want to enjoy the magic of the holidays.

10. Remember that “To wish to be well is part of becoming well” (Lucius Seneca).

Written by:  Katie Jackel