Stress, fatigue, anxiety and depression: The cries of the holidays

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This time of year brings the best and the worst of us to light. It’s an exciting time, filled with holiday events, fun, family and good cheer. Unfortunately, for many, it also brings to the forefront feelings of anxiety and depression, which comes on the heels of the stress and energy (or lack thereof), required to fulfil some expectations. But your holidays don’t have to be like that.

There is much we can do to throttle down those feelings so we can enjoy the holidays more. Taking care of yourself is important any time of year, but now it is even more so. Treating yourself to acupuncture treatments, massage, chiropractic and other modalities that help your system relax and run more efficiently, go a long way in helping to keep your reaction to stress a little more reasonable. You can also have a spa day as a way to celebrate the holidays with a special friend, or a group of them!

Make sure you get enough sleep. It is tempting when there is so much going on to skimp on sleep. Doing that makes you more susceptible to the negative impact stress has on our health. That includes things like reduced immune response — there’s no greater way to ruin a holiday than to be sick with the flu, pneumonia, bronchitis, or any other immune-depressed malady.

Getting enough Vitamin D is important. So is getting enough sunlight. It is common during this time of the year when its dark when we go to work and dark when we come home, to feel the impact of S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder — depression due to lack of sunlight). You can help remedy that by going to a hardware store and picking up full-spectrum light bulbs and exchanging them for your other light bulbs in your home. Start with the room you are in the most. They are a bit pricey, but cheaper than the “happy lights” you can buy for this purpose.

Of course, eat well. This is the most important time to do that. Chances are, you will splurge on the “goodies” of the season. Offset that by eating great the rest of the time.

Eliminating health issues that slow you down, make you feel more stressed, or ruin your fun is a must! There is no time of year that these health challenges are acceptable, but during the holidays they seem to be magnified because they limit you. Acupuncture is a great way to remedy dis-ease. Whether it is digestive related, immune related, hormone related, or any other organ or system related, the chances are, we can help. Don’t let your health ruin your holidays! You don’t have to suffer from fatigue, stress-related infirmities, anxiety or depression, because there are solutions available to help you. Let’s all have Peace in your body, your mind and your spirit, as well as Peace on Earth!

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Holly Carling is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Naturopathy, Clinical Nutritionist and Master Herbologist with nearly four decades of experience. Carling is a “Health Detective,” she looks beyond your symptom picture and investigates WHY you are experiencing your symptoms in the first place. Carling is currently accepting new patients and offers natural health care services and whole food nutritional supplements in her Coeur d’Alene clinic. Visit Carling’s website at www.vitalhealthcda.com to learn more about Carling, view a list of upcoming health classes and read other informative articles. Carling can be reached at 208-765-1994 and would be happy to answer any questions regarding this topic.