Believe it or not, the holiday season is in full swing. Which is pretty shocking considering we just celebrated Memorial Day like yesterday.
Either way, we're here for it.
Give us ALL the holiday music: 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Move over PSL and bring on peppermint, gingerbread, and sugar cookie flavored anything. And FYI, for the next month or so, we'll be ugly crying to every cringy Hallmark movie under the sun. Sorry not sorry.
This time of year is the best, but admittedly, it can also be pretty stressful. Between the cooking, get-togethers, gift shopping, and everything else going on – it's easy to feel a little overwhelmed.
Our goal is to make this a humbug-free season. That's why we sat down with Dr. Denne Thomas-Patterson (aka Dr. Donee), a primary care physician with Virtua Health, on how to enjoy the holiday season while keeping stress to a minimum.
Be selective.
For this first time in what feels like forever, this year's holiday might actually be semi-normalish (fingers crossed). That means party after party after party. Our tip: don't stretch yourself too thin by attending every event just because you were invited. We also recommend small groups. Remember, we are still in a pandemic and want everyone to stay safe. Self-care, all day, every day, baby!
Plan your menu, like now!
There is literally nothing more stressful than hosting a holiday party and scrambling last minute because you're missing an ingredient. Instead, plan your meals a few weeks out, make a comprehensive shopping list, and do as much food prep as possible the days before the big day! And get the kids in on it as well. Have them help with little things like shred cheese, squeeze lemons, or set out the desserts. Team work, right?
Pack it up.
Playing off the tip above, pack ahead of time if you're traveling to visit family and friends. Airports are already a nightmare as is – so do yourself a favor and be prepared for your trip ahead of time.
Mentally prepare yourself for family.
"There's one in every family," - said everyone who has a family. Look, we know you love your family, but sometimes, family can be A LOT. Especially that one uncle who LOVES to share the same story over and over and over again. The point is, accept it's going to happen and focus on positive vibes only.
Take some time for yourself.
Make sure you're getting enough sleep. Meditate. Journal out your feelings, both the good and bad. It will go a long way in keeping you balanced. And at the end of the day, if you need help, there's zero shame in asking for it.
Our friends at Virtua Health are here to get you there. Their comprehensive team will take a wholehearted approach to your care, connecting you with the right doctors to meet your needs. Click here to set up an appointment today!
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