Page 25 - December Newsletter

The holiday season is here and parties and gatherings are being planned to celebrate the season! Holidays offer fun times with friends and family members as well as many food temptations, stressors, and for some, feelings of isola-tion and loneliness. Here are some tips to help handle the hard parts of the holidays.Food FrenzyOften times our favorite part of the holi-days is eating all the delicious food thatyou only get a few times a year. While in-dulging and celebrating are okay in moder-ation, the seasonal sweets can stay with uslonger than we would want. How can we enjoy all our favorites without overindulging on sugar and fat?1. Bring healthy foods to pair with high-calorie treats.Whether it is a small gathering or a large office potluck, guests will appreciate lighter, non-sweet options more than you think. Offer healthy choices such as using whole wheat bread for sandwiches and seltzer water with fruit instead of soda.2. Choose exercise instead of food to relieve stress.Parties can be stressful for some, this leads to mindless snack- ing and extra calories. Encourage people to take a walk to work off holiday stress and anxiety, as well as extra calories.3. Plan ahead to help reduce those extra calories.Do you have several parties to attend? Eat a small meal for breakfast with whole grains, fruit, and protein. Don’t starve yourself thinking you’ll save room for party food. Take small bites and savor the delicious flavors. Go through the buffet once to reduce nibbling.4. Schedule a reset or U-Turn Day.After the holiday leftovers are gone, plan one to three days where you “reset” and make a few healthy meals lower in calo- ries. Think soups or salads with minimal dressing. Incorporate as many vegetables as you can and try berries to tide over your sweet tooth that is now accustom to more sugar. Just a few intentional meals and small adjustments can get you back on track to a healthy lifestyle overall.Solemn SeasonFor many, this holiday season will be the first without a beloved friend or family member. Death or loss of a relationship can be extremely difficult around the holidays. This time of year can bring back many memories and make it difficult for a person to celebrate, wishing their loved one was there. Others haven’t had their loved ones around for a while, or often spend holi- days alone. While we can’t fix their loss or loneliness, there are a few ways we can help.1. Invite.Ask a loved one to play games and engage or suggest making up new traditions. If they don’t feel up to it, allow them their space to participate as they would like.If there is a neighbor you know that doesn’t have a plan, see if they would be willing to join you. Give them a suggestion of what they can bring to the occasion, they will likely enjoy the opportunity to contribute.2. Look for symptoms.Asking someone if they are struggling won't make it worse. Many just need a listening ear to share the hurt on their heart. Ask questions and let them share without overwhelming them with advice or trying to make them change their feelings.If you notice thoughts or feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, suicide or a prolonged depressed mood, they may need profes- sional help. Encourage them to get help and assure them that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness and that their life is valuable.PLACES TO SEEK HELP:High Plains Crisis Line: 800-432-0333 Suicide Lifeline: 800-273-8255 www.7cups.comApps: Calm, Headspace, Moodpath, PacificaHoliday’s can be fun and stressful, joyous and also full of heart- ache. Keeping healthy habits for our body and mind can help them be more restful and enjoyable. Encourage those around you to make healthy choices this year!