Every year, we seem to spend the last few months in a flurry of activity. With all the holiday preparations and the family’s schedule of sports, get-togethers, and daily obligations, it becomes increasingly difficult to find time for yourself. Sleep, exercise, proper nutrition, stress-relief, and relaxation usually come last on the list.

Medical conditions can be exacerbated by exhaustion, stress, and poor self-care. In this newsletter, we offer ways to help you manage stress and stay healthy during this time of year. During the coming months, try not to constantly worry over details. Be there fully in the moment so you can enjoy it. Know your limits, and stick to them. And most of all, be self-aware and listen to your body.

If you find yourself needing help to get back on your feet during the holiday season, New Fairfield Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is here to help. We combine traditional methods with the most cutting edge technology and techniques of all major disciplines. We emphasize aggressive rehabilitation and educate our patients about their diagnosis and treatment plan so exercise becomes a pleasant routine, benefiting the patient for a lifetime.

Positive Healing: A Patient Profile

“I have been a patient of New Fairfield Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation more than once. I have been active my entire life participating in a variety of sports such as horse-back riding, down-hill skiing, and water skiing. With these adventurous sports also come some risks. Several accidents combined with good old heredity expedited my need for physical therapy.

The doctors and therapists performed a thorough exam and, after x-rays and an MRI, decided on the most effective course of treatment to address my arthritis, bursitis, and tendonitis. A combination of cold laser, electrical stimulation, therapeutic massage, and strengthening exercises were used to improve my range of motion and reduce my pain. I leave my appointments positive and encouraged knowing I’m on the right path to healing.

In the future, I will be able to participate in the same activities that give me the most pleasure because of the doctors and therapists at New Fairfield."

Positive Healing: Doctor’s View

As a patient, Valerie is an ideal example of how being proactive and following a prescribed care plan will prolong life and alleviate pain. Although some of her conditions are hereditary, she does not let that deter her from setting serious goals for her health. We helped her attain those goals by prescribing a therapeutic exercise program and a thorough explanation of how the program would help her and why it was important. This explanation is often the missing piece in many long term care programs. Valerie has approached this plan as a lifestyle change. As a teacher, she is looking forward to being able to keep pace with her students.

Simplify Holidays: Be Proactive This Year

With high expectations and over-filled calendars, the holidays can be overwhelming. Use these tips to help manage holiday stress.

1. Be Realistic It is easy to fantasize about the perfect family gathering complete with snowflakes and sleigh bells. Create realistic expectations and set simple measures of success.
2. Just Say No Prevent feeling overbooked and overwhelmed by mindfully choosing how to spend your time. Prioritize your obligations and time commitments.
3. Take A Break Non-stop holiday activity can zap our energy. When stressed, take a deep breath and slowly exhale, releasing any tension, or try calming, relaxation guided imagery.
4. Give Back Few activities provide greater satisfaction than giving selflessly from the heart. Balance the crazy, materialistic holiday stampede by helping those in need.
5. Hand Made Making a gift can be a meditative experience, provides creative expression, and connects you to the generous holiday spirit.
6. Listen to Your Body The holidays can mean excessive fat, sugar, caffeine, and alcohol, and too little sleep and exercise. Give your body the healthy food, exercise, and sleep it requires.
7. Be a Peacemaker With the stress of holiday expectations, misunderstandings easily occur. Remember the big picture, listen attentively, show you understand, and help make peace.
8. New Traditions Holiday traditions can create wonderful memories. Consider which traditions need an overhaul, or create a new one. Remember, the best traditions may be the simplest ones.
9. At the Root of It All Sometimes, the deeper, spiritual meaning of the holiday season is lost in the shuffle of gift buying, goodie baking, and get-togethers. Reflect on the holidays’ true meaning to you.

Adopted from:
http://www.self-guided.com/articles/holidaystresstips.htm