Taking The Stress Out of
The Holidays
Fast approaching is America's holiday season, kicking off with the beloved Thanksgiving. There are visions of turkey and all the trimmings, decorating, and getting ready for, (if you celebrate), Christmas. Though these are loved holidays, as a person with a chronic illness it smacks of stress and questions into "How in the heck am I going to be able to make it through the holidays?"
It is a daunting task I have to admit. Let's start with Thanksgiving and the cooking. You have to realize like I did, or at least I am trying to do, is to find your limits. This is the time you really do have to listen to your body or your body will betray you quickly before the season really starts off. The Thanksgiving Day dinner is a big one. Do you cook? Where to go? If you are cooking, ask for help. It's okay to ask for help or invite people over and encourage that they bring the sides if you are providing the house and the turkey. Use throw away plates, cups, cooking tins and plastic wear. This sounds cheap, but if you are cooking and inviting people over it saves you the energy in having to wash all those cooking trays and dishes. People, this is called self perseverance. But it is always easier to go to someone else's home if you just can't summon up the energy to cook an entire meal. If this is the case, I sure the person cooking would love if you bought a side.
Right after Thanksgiving comes...Christmas and all that that entails. And what that entails is ofcourse...shopping. There are many of us who can walk, but only for a short while, or our energy levels quickly depletes, or many of us who are unable to walk and use scooters. I love going to stores, but my energy and legs don't hold up well to these mega large stores and walking and standing in line and buying. It is just too much. I have found a friend in online shopping. My first site, if you are interested in some websites I am going to list some of my favorites.
First, did you know that you can shop and make money at the same time? Well you can if you sign up first on www.ebates.com. Then whenever you shop online, go to ebates first and type in your store of choice and you can earn a percentage from just buying through www.ebates.com. Some of the best websites that I go to for gifts is
There are many things to do to keep not only your sanity, but your health. Don't overdo. Place limits not only on yourself but your family. Sometimes you will have to say no and its okay, and the world will not end. Take your medication, take frequent breaks, ask for help and for quick gifts don't forget your local dollar stores like Family Dollar and Dollar General. Holidays are a wonderful time for family and friends, but it is not a time to lose your health in the process.
