Preparing for the Holiday Season

As you all know, sometimes the holidays can be a wonderful time, filled with joy. But other times, the stress and general "business" of the holiday season can be difficult for those of us living with chronic pain. And we tend to eat too much sugar, drink too much alcohol, and don't have much time to exercise or rest. This is me- every December- and maybe this is you too? 

All of these things- eating unhealthy foods, dealing with the stress of the holidays, and not having enough time to rest and recoup- this can all lead to an immune system flare-up. It is very common for people with immune system ifficulties to get overwhelmed during the holidays, and many of us struggle with exhaustion, fatigue, anxiety, depression and symptom flare-ups. 

So I encourage you to take care of yourself during this time! 

Here is my list of the 3 things I will be doing this holiday season to take care of myself. 

1. Drink Water

We get so busy during this time, we often live on coffee, soda, tea, and other energy boosting drinks, and we forget to stop and drink water. Our body is made up of 65% water, and when we get dehydrated, we lose our energy, and start to feel tired and anxious. Plus, our body cannot store water, so we need to drink water every day! Hydration is the first step I take to recover when I start feeling exhausted and stressed. 

2. Exercise Daily

Exercise boosts energy and metabolism, and releases hormones that make us feel happy. Who doesn't want that, especially in the holiday season! I know it's hard to squeeze in time for exercise, but even just 10 minutes a day can have a huge impact on our bodies. You don't need to go to the gym, you can get a good workout in at home! Try Autoimmune Strong here or try some of my at home stretches here. 

3. Let Go Of Perfection

I often feel during the holiday season that I need to be the best version of myself. Cheery wherever I go, bringing home made goodies and perfect presents, beautifully wrapped. But the reality of that looks bleak- I often end up stay up super late after my work day to make those home made goodies and wrap the presents, and then I am often too tired the next day to spread that holiday cheer. So this year I have resolved not to take on more than I can handle this season, so I can take care of myself instead. 

And if you happen to have a flare-up anyways- check out my blog tips here on how to manage a flare-up and make it disappear. 

I wish you nothing but happiness this holiday season!