Holidays are known for bringing cheer and good tidings of joy.
While this rings true for many, the holidays can also bring stress and cause anxiety for others.
There’s the countdown to the holidays and all the tasks that come with it – decorating, shopping, baking, eating, wrapping, entertaining and so much more.
This added holiday stress is not good for anyone, but for someone living with diabetes it could be disastrous.
Holiday stress or stress of any kind can create complications, health concerns and life-threatening issues.
Here are a few tips to help get through the holiday season and start the New Year on a positive and hopefully stress-free note.
Reducing Holiday Stress Tip #1: Learn to Say No
The invites are starting to pour in.
Every day in the month of November and December are filled with activities and events.
This can only mean one thing.
More events equal holiday foods, desserts and added stress around every corner.
Learn to say no.
Don’t overcommit and don’t put yourself in an overabundance of tempting situations.
Reducing Holiday Stress Tip #2: Stay Organized and Have a Plan
You can avoid overcommitting by staying organized and sticking to a plan.
Writing your intentions down is important because it helps to set them in stone and makes them harder to avoid.
Place your set intentions in a high traffic area so they are impossible to forget or ignore.
Reducing Holiday Stress Tip #3: Exercise
The word exercise can feel like a chore at any time of the year.
But during the busy holiday season, it can seem impossible to squeeze into the schedule.
There are a number of activities that can not only help relieve holiday stress but keep diabetes in check.
Going for a walk after a big holiday meal or playing a family football game counts. Try squeezing in at least 20 minutes of exercise into each day whenever you can. If you need to schedule a 20-minute walk, then put it into your calendar. If it can only be a few minutes on one particular day, that’s ok. Some movement is better than no movement at all so make it a practice and part of your regular routine.
Reducing Holiday Stress Tip #4: Learn Healthier Ways of Eating
One mistake that many of us make during the holidays is overindulging. At the opposite extreme is thinking that we have to drastically change and avoid traditional holiday favorites completely. This can lead to skipping meals to save room or completely binging on everything in sight which can cause drastic fluctuations in blood sugar.
Follow the plate rule during the holidays and make sure your plate is filled with 50% vegetables, 25% starch and 25% protein. Check blood glucose levels often and then go from there when deciding what to eat next. Consider skipping the carbs and replacing it with a decadent dessert instead. Replace sugary sodas and coffee drinks and fill up with water instead to gear up for holiday eating. Budgeting your food and being conscious of what you eat and when you eat is a sure-fire way to get through the holiday season.
Reducing Holiday Stress Tip #5: Get Some Rest
Staying up late during the holiday season is common but lack of sleep can cause stress as well as fluctuations in blood sugar. The amount of sleep needed varies depending on age, health, stress levels, social life, line of work and a host of other factors. Most studies, however, report that “the average adult needs 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night.”1 You may need more or less than this so it’s important to listen to your body and create the schedule that is right for you.
Reducing Holiday Stress Tip #6: Be Kind
The holidays are a good time to count our blessings and remember those less fortunate. Make a conscious effort to say happy holidays, listen to someone else’s story and do something kind for someone you know or even someone you don’t. Chances are you’ll make a lasting impression. Kindness starts with you so take the initiative to spread kindness every day and help pay it forward.
Reducing Holiday Stress Tip #7: Make Memories
The holidays are a time to celebrate traditions from years past and create new ones to look forward to in the future. Cherishing a holiday memory brings joy and laughter. Not only does laughter reduce stress and anxiety, but it has also been linked to “improving your immune system, lowering blood sugar relieving pain, stimulating organs and releasing endorphins to the brain.”
Reducing Holiday Stress Tip #8: Take Care of Yourself
Sometimes dealing with diabetes can seem impossible, but there are simple things that can be done that we all take for granted that can help us ease stress and anxiety. Sometimes we just need a gentle reminder during this busy holiday season to remember to take better care of ourselves. It is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season. We tend to take care of everyone else’s needs that we forget to take care of our own needs, and for someone living with diabetes that can be dangerous. So, remember to regularly check blood glucose levels, eat healthy, exercise and get some rest during the season to help reduce stress and keep diabetes under control.
Reducing Holiday Stress Tip #9: Knowledge is Power
Fear of the unknown can be our greatest stressor. Not knowing where blood glucose levels are headed and how certain foods may impact levels is also a stressor. Arming ourselves with the proper knowledge is sometimes the best line of defense and the most effective way to reduce stress and anxiety. Learn more about what is causing and creating the stress. Do research, find out more about diabetes and how certain foods and activities affect your body. Knowing all the facts will give you the power to deal with what you don’t know.
Reducing Holiday Stress Tip #9: Let a Continuous Glucose Monitor Ease Your Stress
Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems (CGMs), like the FreeStyle Libre, have revolutionized how diabetes patients track and monitor blood glucose levels. CGMs help to avoid painful fingersticks, allow patients to monitor levels 24/7 and give patients peace of mind – especially during the holiday season.
Finding the Way to Live a Stress-Free Life During the Holidays
Quest Health Solutions is here to provide the support and resources you need during this holiday season and always. Whether you’re a patient, healthcare provider, diabetic educator or loved one looking for more information, we are here to support you on this journey and make it as stress free as possible. To learn more, contact us 1-877-888-7050 Option 3, ext. 1011 email ben@questhealthsolutions.com or schedule an appointment today.
1. (2019) Mayo Clinic. How Many Hours of Sleep are Enough for Good Health? Available at Click Here accessed on 28 November 2021.
2. (2019) Mayo Clinic. Stress Relief from Laughter? It’s No Joke. Available at Click Here accessed on 29 November 2021.