“The safest way to celebrate the new year is to celebrate at home with the people who live with you or virtually with friends and family. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others.”

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

“Starting off, rules regarding indoor parties are the same as they have been all year: they’re a bad idea. says that we still need to avoid large parties indoors.  Including this virus doesn’t have any opinions, it doesn’t care if you’re gathering for a holiday; All it’s looking for are pathways to spread itself.”  Dr. Gohil says.

Dr. Gohil – a medical director as well as a professor within the University of California Irvine’s Health System,

“Heart and blood vessel disease (also called heart disease) includes numerous problems, many of which are related to a process called atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is a condition that develops when a substance called plaque builds up in the walls of the arteries. This buildup narrows the arteries, making it harder for blood to flow through. If a blood clot forms, it can block the blood flow. This can cause a heart attack or stroke.”

heart.org

TO ALL  FRIENDS, FAMILY and THOSE IN THE WORLD:

Here are 4 tips to help manage holiday stress:

1. Take care of your body and mind. This can include regular exercise, adequate sleep, a healthy diet, and relaxation practices. You may want to combine some of these habits for optimal self-care. For example, after a workout stretch your muscles while practicing deep breathing techniques. Eat a nutritious meal while practicing mindfulness of the moment. Get to bed at a decent hour and practice progressive muscle relaxation to help you wind down and fall asleep relaxed.

2. Identify your priorities and establish boundaries. Consider what is most important and valuable to you during the holidays and keep those as priority. This will require you to set boundaries around your priorities. Say no to “lesser” priorities, and ask for help when needed. For example, if exercising regularly is a priority, set boundaries around your time to ensure you’re able to get to the gym on a consistent basis. Similarly, if you want to spend quality time with loved ones you don’t see often, then you may have to say no to other responsibilities. This will keep you from feeling like you’re being pulled in all directions. It may also help reduce the risk of feeling resentment or disappointment once the holidays are over.

3. Be realistic. Assess your expectations of yourself and others. Try not to expect the holidays to go perfectly, and realize that you do not have to be perfect. You don’t have to prepare an ultra-fancy meal or give the perfect gift to every friend and family member. Practice some relaxation skills (mentioned above) to help clear your mind and determine what’s most realistic and what’s not. If family conflict has popped up in past holidays, don’t expect there to be perfect peace and harmony this year. Instead, plan ahead for your healthy response to conflict that may arise and be prepared to set boundaries if needed.

4. Cultivate gratitude. There is growing research on the benefits of gratitude, particularly on physical, psychological, and relational well-being. An “attitude of gratitude,” as Dr. Robert Emmons (a leading researcher on the science of gratitude) calls it, has been linked to greater stress tolerance, increased positive emotions, better sleep, improved physical health, and healthier relationships. It can be beneficial to create a daily habit of remembering what you are thankful for. Keeping a gratitude list at the beginning or end of each day is a great way to do this. If certain well-meaning friends or family members start stretching your patience, remind yourself of why you are thankful to have them in your life.  Which at times may not be easy so walk away and get a a breath or two by taking a walk.

5.  Maintain the safety interventions needed to prevent you getting Covid19.

“The holidays will involve extra planning this year. But taking safety precautions can allow you and your family and friends to celebrate and minimize the risk of becoming infected with or spreading the COVID-19 virus.”

MAYO CLINCI

“When planning how to celebrate the holidays, consider that celebrating virtually or with members of your own household who are consistently following safety measures poses the lowest risk.”

MAYO CLINIC

“Going to the doctor’s office for your regular checkups has probably been on the back burner due to covid and many staying home.  Some ideas to stay healthier even when staying home more often now is:

1. Don’t smoke.
2. Be physically active every day.
3. Eat a healthy diet rich in whole grains, lean protein, vegetables, and fruits. Reduce or avoid unhealthy saturated fats and trans fats. Instead, use healthier monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
4. Be sure to get enough vitamin D and calcium.
5. Maintain a healthy weight and body shape.
6. Challenge your mind.
7. Build a strong social network.
8. Protect your sight, hearing and general health by following preventive care guidelines.
9. Floss, brush, and see a dentist regularly. Poor oral health may have many effects. It can lead to poor nutrition, pain and possibly even a higher risk of heart disease and stroke.
10. Discuss with your doctor whether you need any medicine to help you stay healthy. These might include medicines to control high blood pressure, treat osteoporosis or lower cholesterol, for example.”

Harvard Health Publishing