The holidays are swiftly approaching. Are you feeling overwhelmed? No worries. Take a seat, relax, and let’s go through some stress-relieving tips for assisted living facilities near you this holiday season.
We all love the holidays. It’s reported that 90% of Americans celebrate Christmas. But let’s face it, between the belly-busting dinner parties, Secret Santa shopping lists, and meetings with in-laws; stress is inevitable.
With these twelve holiday tips you can brush that stress aside and enjoy the Christmas season staying healthy, happy, and energized.
Brighten your day
During the winter season, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is common due to the lack of sunlight. SAD affects up to 20% of Americans each year, causing feelings of depression and hopelessness.
In case you’re affected by SAD, it’s a good idea to spend more time outdoors and get more sunlight. Take an afternoon stroll across the Oakleigh Macomb walking paths or have a cup of hot coffee in our outdoor common spaces.
Walking also creates a rhythm and repetition that has a tranquilizing effect on your brain. We teach more about the benefits of walking and exercise in general in our wellness programs.
Focus more on yourself
This might sound counterintuitive during the holiday season, but focusing your attention on others all the time can be very draining. What with shopping, attending family events, cooking, sending holiday cards, etc., the holidays can get overwhelming quite quickly.
It’s important to say no sometimes and to pamper yourself a bit. Our complimentary spa and salon services are designed to do just that.
Follow a daily routine
The key thing to remember to avoid holiday stress is to prioritize yourself first – this means not neglecting your health and favorite hobbies.
Oakleigh’s wellness program RENEW is geared towards this, and it’s a lifesaver during the holiday season. It stands for Rehab, Education, Nutrition, Enrichment, and Wellness.
- Rehab: This includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, and personalized wellness programs.
- Education: With our programs, you’ll learn healthy eating and living habits.
- Nutrition: This will be handled by our expert culinary experts and chefs who will prepare the right diet for you.
- Enrichment: With our coaching and tracking programs, we’ll help you stay on track and apply the tips in this article.
- Wellness: We’ll help you transcend the holiday stress in mind, body, and spirit!
Laughter is the best medicine
Don’t forget about the power of laughing. In fact, laughter produces stress-reducing hormones and improves the immune system. It’s also a core part of our Impressions Memory Care Life Enrichment program, which is meant to provide you with opportunities for laughter and so much more…
Don’t be a perfectionist
Don’t sweat the small stuff. That’s the main takeaway we want you to have. Focus your attention on enjoying the people in your life instead!
If you’re a perfectionist, then life will be much easier for you at Oakleigh of Macomb. Whether it be meals, exercise routines, or shopping trips, we’ll handle all of the small details for you.
Unplug during holiday gatherings
We mean this both literally and figuratively; turn off the cell phone at key times such as during meetings with family and friends. Not only will they appreciate it too, but you’ll be less stressed out as well. A constantly beeping cell phone will keep you in a never-ending fight or flight mode because of the spikes in adrenaline.
Make the right food choices
Here are a few food tips that will help you make the most out of your holiday meals:
- Spice is nice: Spicy foods trigger the release of endorphins. These are the natural chemicals that trigger euphoric and happy feelings.
- Honey for energy: Honey will actually give you a good boost of both short term and long term energy. It also has antioxidant and antibacterial properties that can boost your immune system. The darker the honey is, the more antioxidant properties it should contain.
- The downside of coffee: Coffee is great for energy. However, if you drink it on an empty stomach, this will cause your blood sugar levels to rise. You should only drink coffee on a full stomach.
Our Nutrition Program will teach you many more tips like these.
Listen to music
Whichever kind of music you enjoy, it can benefit your health. Yes, even that hip hop music that so many kids like to listen to these days. If you enjoy the music, that’s all that matters to your health. Good music can relax your blood vessels and increase blood flow. This has a calming effect that’s also beneficial for your heart.
Assisted living facilities also often have musical events where you can enjoy good music and the company of others as well. Oakleigh of Macomb keeps residents up to date on any entertainment taking place.
Exercise for pleasure
It may sound strange, especially when you’re feeling stressed out, but exercising can make you feel better. Going for a light jog is all it takes. Research shows that a good workout can improve your mood for up to 12 hours at a time.
With our outdoor walking path and our senior-friendly fitness center, you’ll actually look forward to exercising regularly!
Don’t overextend
This is a common cause of stress. You don’t want to bite off more than you can chew as the old saying goes. You can avoid this by following the tip we mentioned earlier about sticking to a schedule. Seniors at Oakleigh of Macomb find it easier to follow a healthy daily schedule with our help.
Take a trip to reduce stress
Whether you’re a resident at Oakleigh of Macomb or you’re a caregiver, a trip or vacation for 4-5 days will do wonders at reducing your stress levels.
Stay positive
The holidays might add additional stress, but try not to focus on it. Negative thinking can make you feel just as stressed out as a real threat does. It’s time to think positive and enjoy the time you have with your friends and family. An optimistic mindset will allow you to cope with just about anything.
