Holiday Survival Guide
Holidays. A time to celebrate. A time to eat, drink, and be merry. A time to time go to family functions and engage in awkward interactions with family members you don't like. A time for those family members you don't like to ask you 5 million questions like "when are you going to get married?", "when are you having kids?", when are you finishing school?", when are you getting a better job?", and "are you going to bum around the rest of your life?".
For some, the holidays are their favorite time of year. They love decorating, cooking, giving/receiving gifts, making memories, and spending time with friends and family. For others, it can be stressful. Parties, gifts, cooking, setting up decorations, wrapping presents, cleaning up, and making sure everyone is having a good time can all put a lot of pressure and stress on someone. My mom LOVES the holidays but she's a little bit of a spaz (I love her dearly for it). She wants everything to be perfect. She wants there to be enough food, she wants to make sure she got a good gift, and she wants to make sure everyone is having a good time.
Holidays can consume a lot of one's energy, both physically and mentally. Someone with MS can be particularly stressed because he or she may not have the energy to partake in all the festivities. Here's some tips/suggestions for any holiday for those living with MS (and quite frankly you don't have to have MS to use this list, anyone can benefit from these suggestions):
Holiday Tips
1. Plan & prioritize. You don't have to go to every event/function. Choose your top picks.
2. Set realistic expectations. If you can't make 20 parties or outings, pick a top 3 or top 5. Don't run yourself down.
3. Realize it doesn't have to be perfect. The imperfections are always better.
4. Simplify recipes. Cut a couple of corners. Make it easy on yourself.
5. Take breaks. Did you hear me? Take a break.
6. Nap. Nap. Nap.
7. Rest. Please, I'm asking nicely.
8. Stay hydrated. I know we all want to drink as much wine as possible, but drink a glass of water every once in awhile.
9. If you have more energy in the morning, have the party in the morning. Adapt.
10. If you have to fly, ask for assistance in the airport.
11. Assign tasks to others. You don't have to be in charge of everything. Put your friends and family to work. Especially those teenagers! They're just sitting on their phones anyways.
12. Ask everyone to bring a dish. You don't need to cook a 20 course meal.
13. Use paper plates for easy cleanup. There's no shame in that game.
14. Stay Cool. The oven will be on, and there will be 30 people in the room. Wear something you're not going to overheat in.
15. Dress Comfortably. Rock those Christmas PJS if you have to.
16. If it's hot, have a cooling towel handy.
17. Conserve your energy. Pace yourself. Breathe.
18. Ask for help. I know you all are stubborn like my mom so you probably won't, but just try. Please.
19. Shop online or give gift cards. No need to be out there shopping in that mess.
20. Just say no. Again, I know it's easier said than done but sometimes you just got too.
From my family to yours, I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!
For some, the holidays are their favorite time of year. They love decorating, cooking, giving/receiving gifts, making memories, and spending time with friends and family. For others, it can be stressful. Parties, gifts, cooking, setting up decorations, wrapping presents, cleaning up, and making sure everyone is having a good time can all put a lot of pressure and stress on someone. My mom LOVES the holidays but she's a little bit of a spaz (I love her dearly for it). She wants everything to be perfect. She wants there to be enough food, she wants to make sure she got a good gift, and she wants to make sure everyone is having a good time.
Holidays can consume a lot of one's energy, both physically and mentally. Someone with MS can be particularly stressed because he or she may not have the energy to partake in all the festivities. Here's some tips/suggestions for any holiday for those living with MS (and quite frankly you don't have to have MS to use this list, anyone can benefit from these suggestions):
Holiday Tips
1. Plan & prioritize. You don't have to go to every event/function. Choose your top picks.
2. Set realistic expectations. If you can't make 20 parties or outings, pick a top 3 or top 5. Don't run yourself down.
3. Realize it doesn't have to be perfect. The imperfections are always better.
4. Simplify recipes. Cut a couple of corners. Make it easy on yourself.
5. Take breaks. Did you hear me? Take a break.
6. Nap. Nap. Nap.
7. Rest. Please, I'm asking nicely.
8. Stay hydrated. I know we all want to drink as much wine as possible, but drink a glass of water every once in awhile.
9. If you have more energy in the morning, have the party in the morning. Adapt.
10. If you have to fly, ask for assistance in the airport.
11. Assign tasks to others. You don't have to be in charge of everything. Put your friends and family to work. Especially those teenagers! They're just sitting on their phones anyways.
12. Ask everyone to bring a dish. You don't need to cook a 20 course meal.
13. Use paper plates for easy cleanup. There's no shame in that game.
14. Stay Cool. The oven will be on, and there will be 30 people in the room. Wear something you're not going to overheat in.
15. Dress Comfortably. Rock those Christmas PJS if you have to.
16. If it's hot, have a cooling towel handy.
17. Conserve your energy. Pace yourself. Breathe.
18. Ask for help. I know you all are stubborn like my mom so you probably won't, but just try. Please.
19. Shop online or give gift cards. No need to be out there shopping in that mess.
20. Just say no. Again, I know it's easier said than done but sometimes you just got too.
From my family to yours, I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!
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