Thanksgiving is right around the corner! I probably don’t need to tell you guys that because I’m sure you’re all ready, organized, and stress-free. Right?
Oh, I usually have grand plans for the holidays – gifts to make, crafting my own Christmas Cards, etc. All sorts of frosted sugar cookie goodness and glistening, homemade chocolate concoctions will grace my Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve tables.
Did you catch that? Thanksgiving dinner with my family and Christmas Eve with my husband’s family are taking place. In. My. Home.
Yes, I used to make BIG plans! But then 2014 happened. I really did start early with gift purchasing and decision-making. But then I really did end up being diagnosed with double pneumonia at the end of September. It literally hung around for months. I began to feel better but my energy was non-existent since I was still fighting residual infection.
I felt I had two options. #1 – I could sit and cry over the agenda that now needed to be changed. OR #2 – I could cry for help from some of the top chronic illness bloggers and bravest warriors I know.
Ok, so I did choose option number one for a short time – but then I got smart and went with option number two. I thought just in case there is anyone else out there feeling the holiday squeeze I’d pass along these wonderful tips to you!
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Go Disposable – Do your best to avoid hosting the holiday gatherings, but if you must host go disposable. Costco has great disposable plates and “silverware” that look like the real thing (until you pick them up). They are super light, making theme easier to carry; and, the fact that they are disposable means less to clean up at the end of the day. You can also buy disposable turkey pans and cookware to avoid scrubbing. If you must use real dishes, make sure someone else is doing the clean up.
Julie Ryan can be found sharing her wisdom at www.countingmyspoons.com.
She has been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, Endometriosis, Hypothyroidism, TMJ, Migraines, and Cluster Headaches. Her blog offers encouragement and help for anyone who suffers from these or any chronic illness. She is currently a freelance writer and student working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Her blog has been listed as one of the top fibromyalgia blogs of 2014 by Healthline.
I know for me I always wear a scarf to keep warm and also use it to cover my mouth so I don’t breath in cold air. I always carry hand sanitizer and tissues.
Carla Bussell is a sweet friend of mine and an amazing mama to five wonderful boys. She also happens to suffer from pulmonary hypertension and lupus. She’s one of those beautiful people that you fall in love with the first time you meet. Her positive outlook and vibrant life are truly an inspiration to me!
Watch what you eat! Food will be everywhere, and it’s usually foods that we would never eat too much of. Showing self control during the season so our body doesn’t react to sugars, etc is very important. We should all be eating healthy diets anyway to manage our chronic pain, but a treat every once in a while (or in moderation) will be fine.
Jim Bugg’s website, www.curemywife.com, began in 2000 as a labor of love for his chronically sick wife, Anita. She had been diagnosed with an assortment of chronic and painful health issues. Jim’s desire is to offer support for women with chronic illness and pain from a Christian perspective.
My favorite tip about the holidays is that it’s definitely the time of year to plan ahead. For those who don’t like to plan, this is one time where it’s necessary. Also, at this time of year, many of us feel burdened by our own expectations. Overextending ourselves (with food, money, time, and energy), can result in pain, fatigue, fogginess, increased body and head aches, and more. Burning the candle at both ends and risking your own health serves no purpose.
Sue Ingebretson’s battle with health and fibromyalgia lead her on an amazing journey to wellness. She is an author, speaker, certified holistic health care practitioner, and the director of program development for the Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Center at California State University, Fullerton. She is a Fibromyalgia Editor for ProHealth.com, as well as a Patient Advocate and the Fibromyalgia Expert for the Alliance Health community of health conditions website. Head over to her blog – www.rebuildingwellness.com. She recently wrote a helpful article offering more tips to tame the holiday fibro frenzy for ProHealth and you can read it here.
My top tip for surviving the holidays is to plan ahead! Planning ahead takes out a lot of the stress and the last minute craziness which undoubtedly leads to flares! Also, if you are traveling for the holidays, plan in down time. So often around this time it’s go, go, go! But by planning ahead and scheduling in down time, it will help you avoid flares and actually enjoy the time with friends and family which is the absolutely best thing about the holidays!
Jamee Miller’s goal for her blog, www.anewkindofnormal.com, is to make you feel supported, inspired, empowered, connected and loved. She has been diagnosed with endometriosis, fibromyalgia, celiac disease, chronic migraines, and gastroparesis. She also happens to be a youth pastor’s wife, rocks some purple hair, and shares my passion for Coke!
My biggest tip for the holidays is this: compassion. we get so caught up in our own concerns and wishes during the holiday season, and we’re stressed by more activities, more spending, more strange food, more travel… sometimes we forget that everyone else around us is stressed to the max, too. Practice gratitude. Say thanks to everyone, from your bus driver to the mail carrier; from your waitress to your neighbor. This is actually a good
Practice all day, all year. It just makes you feel better!
Jenni Prokopy started www.ChronicBabe.com in 2005. She wanted to create an online community for younger women with chronic health issues. In 1997, at the age of 25, she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Soon after came diagnoses of asthma, anxiety, Raynaud’s phenomenon, GERD, thyroid disease, and more. You can grab a copy of her freebie, 25 Way to Manage Stress During the Holiday, by clicking here! Her writing has won her numerous awards in the healthcare industry and she is a social media consultant.
My holidays are off to an early start with a wedding, 600 miles away in Alabama. My tip, if you have to travel a distance, travel at night and I hope someone else drives so that you can sleep!
Susanna Saint Barr lives in Indiana with her family. She is a wonderful support to a group of fibromyalgia suffers in a close-knit Facebook community where she shines the love of Christ.
A HUGE thank you to this wonderful group who answered my call for help!
Now, what are your awesome tips for holiday survival? Please share!
