December 2023 Health Tip

by J. Renee Livsey, RN-BC |  December 1, 2023
Mt. Zion Monthly Health Tip
*Mind, Body, Spirit* = Wellness
December 2023

We are in the middle of the holiday season! Our goal is to maintain our Mind, our Body, and our Spiritual Wellness in the midst of the holiday chaos.
 
Mind: Many people experience feelings of sadness during the holidays due to missing loved ones who have passed away. For many of us these feelings of sadness never go away and increase during the holiday season. To combat these feelings, stay engaged with friends and family. Instead of dwelling in the feelings of depression, try to appreciate the good things around you. Self-isolation only makes feelings of loss worse, so get out of the house. Attend holiday social events, volunteer to take someone who does not drive shopping, and by all means pray to God to take the sadness away and replace it with Joy.

Body: During the holiday season, it is easy to forget about healthy eating. In the days following Thanksgiving and Christmas the emergency rooms are flooded, treating cases of critically high blood sugar and blood pressure levels. For instance, a blood sugar level over 250 or a blood pressure over 180/120 may jeopardize your health and life, and going to a critical care facility or ER is highly advised. During the holidays monitor your blood sugar and blood pressure more frequently so that you know where you stand. The symptoms of a diabetic emergency include, clammy skin, sweating, drowsiness or confusion, weakness or feeling faint, and a sudden loss of responsiveness. Symptoms of a hypertensive emergency include severe headache, blurred, numbness and/or tingling in face and/or hands, and confusion.
 
Spiritual: Remember the reason for the season. Christmas is a celebration of God’s greatest gift to mankind, his son Jesus the Christ. There is no need to go into debt trying to buy expensive gifts for everyone to show our love. Spending time with loved ones is the most valuable gift we can receive. Attending church service during this time is especially important so that we can give thanks to God for sending His Son Jesus as a sacrifice to us.
 
Praying for *Mind, Body, and Spiritual* wellness to you,
 The Mt. Zion Health and Wellness Ministry