Tis The Season

This week before Christmas is harried for pretty much everyone, I doubt you can ask a single person about their life this week without them using the words, busy, rushed, stressed or something to that effect.  My life has not been much different, I have a small part in our Christmas Eve production at our church and that has put me at rehearsals Sunday, Tuesday night, and Thursday night for 2-3 hours each time.  Not complaining, just stating.

Three of our cast members were feeling a bit under the weather at the last practice, all of which have important parts in the production, two are character actors, one is a singer (with an amazing voice I might add).  I was thinking about this that night as we all prayed for those that are feeling poorly.  In reality, it's more than coincidence that several members are having health issues at this time, for 'tis truly the season for colds and more.  But why?

Let's take a simple look at this.  Let's break it down to the basic tenets of my wellness formula.  To review, the wellness formula states that to be well, we must eat well, move well, think well and rest well.  Again, I challenge you to think of any disease or illness that couldn't be eradicated or at least, minimized by following this simple protocol.   So, during this festive, holy season, how does the average person do in regards to this formula?

Eating well?  Well, we may be eating a LOT of very flavorful holiday foods, but I somehow doubt any of us are eating better than we normally do.  I look at my breakfast table this morning, and see several tins and other containers filled with goodies that people have brought us.  May I say that yes, they are tasty, and I say that not just because my family has partaken of the tasty morsels.  The fudge a patient brought is especially hard to stay away from!

Moving well?  I don't know about you, but I know I haven't been to the gym in about a week, and probably won't get back til Tuesday. I wonder what the activity level at the gyms has been this week, I'll be sure to ask when I return next week.  About the only exercise most are getting is walking in stores I'd say from what I saw yesterday morning at the mall (A Santa Line about 100 yards long).

Thinking well?  Hmmm, how do we measure this?  Let me ask a question. Are people more or less stressed this time of year?  There's more to do, financial issues come to a forefront as we try to buy gifts for our loved ones, traffic is tougher to deal with etc.  I'd say most feel more more stress than normal right about now.

Resting well?  Easy to answer that one.  How many of us have been up later than normal?  How many of us have not been on our normal rest pattern?  How many late night glasses of wine or other toddies have been consumed in the past month that are more than normal? 

It's kind of the perfect storm isn't it?  More sugar that lowers our immunity, no exercise to boost our immunity and fight off calories, extra stress and less rest.  Kind of the antithesis to the wellness formula.

So what do we do?  Our best.  Recognize the issue and do one's best to combat it, and enjoy this holiest of seasons.  And recall Philippians 4: 4-7 which says, "⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

I wish you peace, health, and a prosperous 2012.

Until next time...Be Well!!
Dr. Bruce