Advertisement Once we realize this, we should determine what is important to us and put our energy into those one or two things, said Sheryl Gora-Bollom, clinical manager of Gundersen Lutheran’s outpatient mental health/behavioral health.
Establish family traditions that emphasize time spent together, and have conversations about realistic gift-giving in the family, said Gora-Bollom, one of several local health professionals who offered advice on how to have a happy, healthy holiday.
“Difficult economic times are good times to rethink the gift-giving traditions in your family. ... Start giving homemade gifts, limit money spent, or trading names, or doing special deeds for family members can all be good ways to decrease holiday spending that will result in January stress,” she said.
“Take time to enjoy the moment without allowing your expectations of the way you think things should be to negatively impact the enjoyment of the way things are,” said Mark Shaw, Franciscan Skemp clinical therapist.
“Living in the moment can be remarkably fulfilling and far less anxiety-producing than the frustration of trying to make things all fall into place and, by so doing, miss the joy of that special moment,” he said.
Pause and reflect during the holiday season, Shaw said. For instance, take time to breathe in the cold air, go for a walk in the snow, build a snowman, have a snowball fight with the kids, love your partner or attend a place of worship, he said.
OTHER TIPS FROM HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
Lee Johnson, Franciscan Skemp pediatrician:
Holidays do not have to be complicated for children. Babies like lights and older children enjoy the boxes and bows at times more than the gifts. Simple gifts and the time spent with immediate and extended family are the things children will remember most. Children enjoy making homemade gifts for a parent or relative. The fun of making the gift can be memorable.
Remember to take time for rituals. Young children look forward to the ritual of wrapping presents, decorating a tree and making simple cookies with their parents. Traditions can be reading the Christmas story (or another story), and doing an advent calendar can make for a wonderful memory.
Kristen Brinks, physical therapist, Gundersen Lutheran Sports Medicine:
Plan in advance to go for a walk, and invite others. Move around more and pay attention to your posture. Organize a family physical activity. Go for a hike, play flag football (during half-time of a televised game) or walk through the Rotary Lights rather than viewing them from your car.
Ruth Vach, Franciscan Skemp registered dietitian:
Go for a calorie-free beverage before a holiday meal to help fill you up. Take the edge off your appetite before you go by eating some raw vegetables or fruit, or a couple of crackers.
Don’t skip meals; try eating lighter so you don’t get overly hungry. Take small portions of higher calorie foods.
Fill up on healthy items first — such as vegetables, fruit, low-fat dairy, whole grains and lean protein. Limit added fats and sugar to help keep the calories from adding up. Use lower-calorie ingredients in recipes.
Get adequate sleep. Being tired affects your mental ability to resist temptation and choose healthy foods.
Andrea Lola, clinical manager for Gundersen Lutheran Nutrition Therapy:
Keep your meal structure to avoid overeating or grazing. Listen to your hunger and fullness cues, eat when hungry and stop when satisfied.
Amber Bowe, Gundersen Lutheran registered dietitian:
Take time to visit with your friends and family, especially those you haven’t seen in awhile, and try to do so away from the food table. Being engaged in conversation can help keep your mind off of all of the food surrounding you and will help to reduce the temptation to eat if you aren’t hungry or to eat too much.
Choose your favorites. Often there are many foods to choose from during holiday events. Stick to your favorites and take a smaller plate so you don’t take too much.
Dr. Tiffany Gulinson, family medicine physician in Franciscan Skemp Center for Women’s Health:
Make the holidays fun and do something you like to do. Don’t get caught up in the whirlwind, but slow down enough to enjoy time with family and friends. Allow yourself some down time where you’re not doing something, but are just being.
We live with a lot of pressure to be the perfect family and to get along with everyone. There’s a mold we’re supposed to fit whether we truly are the mold or not. Again, take an active role in accepting who you, and your family members, really are.
Avoid alcohol if it’s not something you would usually drink. Keep up with your regular activity level or exercise, even with an altered holiday schedule.
