The Season of Giving and Receiving – To Your Health

Holiday giving and receiving for your health

As you work through your to-do lists, travel to your holiday destination, and settle in for the holiday season, here are some additional ways to give and receive.

RECEIVE

Following is a list of things that can help you feel your best.

Plenty of fluid
- Avoid dehydration in the busy-ness of your holidays. This can help avoid headaches, constipation, and feeling lethargic.
Fiber in your diet
- This can help you avoid constipation and and issues with diverticulosis (little pockets in your colon which are more common over age 50).
Veggies and fruits for vitamins
- These are colorful, packed with vitamins, help you feel alert and energetic, and are another source of fluids.
Rest
- Getting plenty of sleep will help reduce your feelings of stress and being overwhelmed.
The love and support of family and friends
- This helps with perspective, reduces stress, allows you to relax, helps to focus beyond your own needs and wants.

GIVE

Helping other people can reduce your stress levels
Volunteering and caring about other people improves your health
Altruism, giving to others, is linked to improved health and longevity (living longer)
Time with friends and family. Feeling the love and time with others raises our spirits.

GIVE (UP)

Excess alcohol
- It might relax you for a bit, but then will interrupt your sleep, increase your risk of dehydration, and actually make you feel more tired
Tobacco
- The health risks are just too great. You’ll enjoy many more happy new years if you give up the tobacco.
Too much fatty party food
- A balanced diet, plenty of fruits and vegetables, and exercise will keep you feeling better.
Isolation and brooding.
- Everyone has experienced or will experience hard times, disappointments, betrayal, and/or loss.
- Your attitude, your source of hope, the support of others will determine whether these events stop you.
- You can grieve and experience these negative events and also pick yourself back up and continuing living a hopeful, happy life.