There will be something
Family celebration, gifts, happy faces everywhere - or almost - isn't it wonderful this Christmas season. Excuse me - too dangerous? Who says that?
It's still hectic. The last gift, the chain of lights broken, an order still has to go - everything is pushing, annoying and creating. Yet Christmas is just around the corner, so open it up and open the gate, call in the little children, burn the lights, put the Christmas rose in the vase and enjoy the Silent Night. Peaceful, joyful, sinking back with a happy smile and transfiguredly enjoying the warmth of social bonds and the most delicious foods. Nice, isn't it?
Wait a minute. We should actually ban Christmas out of pure security considerations, which plays a paramount role in our lives today. For real! We shudder at the risks scientists list. "Christmas is a time of togetherness and you won't want to put your family at risk"
(Don Wilson) But the good people they are don't let us down, of course, and year after year they bring us – or perhaps more eager press offices – valuable tips on how to get through this most dangerous time of the year.
Decoration? Too risky
"Christmas is a time of togetherness and you don't want to put your family in danger," reminds Don Wilson of Texas A&M University. Not just them, many will nod in agreement. So let's start outside. Already at the end of October whole hosts of red-clad plastic heroes climb balconies and gutters, delight us with light discos in windows with cheerful sparkling colors and luminous trees replace unusual street lamps.
Yet in the US alone, more than 12,000 people are treated in emergency rooms every year for falling, cutting, burns or being hit while decorating. It's important to remember, Wilson warns, that children are avid copycats, eager to romp around on rooftops like their parents or experience similar dangerous acts for themselves. That's why, according to Wilson, in accordance with a whole range of official recommendations, artificial trees should be fireproof, natural trees should be fresh, candles should only be burned in sight and out of reach of children - and not on the tree! –, decorations are not sharp-edged or can be swallowed in individual parts, broken lights are replaced or, better still, the entire chain of lights is thrown away and, especially in the evening and before leaving, all lamps and candles are extinguished. Makes sense, doesn't it?
Guests? Only after security check
The Christmas tree in general. The United States experiences 300 fires, according to official figures, with ten deaths, thirty injuries and an average of ten million dollars in damage every year. Candles alone are responsible for forty times the number of fire accidents per year. Anyone who still lights candles today should really think twice about what they are threatening those around them with. Oh, one more thing on the subject of trees: avoid certain cedar species that suddenly begin to sprout in a warm room. Allergy sufferers will thank you. The same applies to thorough cleaning of the house, but you should wear a face mask for he alth reasons: The dust that is thrown up could have a negative effect, warns David Weldon from the Scott & White Clinic in College Station. It is also advisable to have an epinephrine injection ready to protect against unexpected allergy shocks.
Not just asthmatics, everyone should remember to take their medication regularly over the holidays, he adds. Plus sticking to the usual routine reduces the risk of sugar problems for diabetics in the face of sumptuous buffets and unhe althy treats. "A he althy lifestyle during the holidays doesn't have to be a struggle"
(Rachel Villareal) Check more often if necessary, have a small bite to eat at your usual times and get exercise - then everything is fine, reassures Rachel Villareal of the Corpus Christi Center's diabetes education program. "Living he althy during the holidays doesn't have to be a struggle," she smiles. For example, a nice little walk to admire the decorations in the neighborhood can be helpful. Should anyone have dared to attach some.
Food? Strictly according to plan
In general, the food. Here Lona Sandon from Southwestern Medical Center - interestingly also in Texas - has the most valuable tips ready."Don't think about what not to eat, just make he althy choices," she advises. "Alcohol suppresses your inhibitions and makes you do things you wouldn't do otherwise"
(Robert Wiprud) Cure-all Cranberry, for example, good for the cells and against urinary tract infections and plaques on the teeth. Otherwise, I prefer fresh meat to department store goods, green salad and colorful vegetables, nuts, sweet potatoes - good for the immune system - and a glass of red wine. Only in moderation, of course, because: "Alcohol suppresses your inhibitions and lets you do things that you wouldn't do otherwise," warns her colleague Robert Wiprud. Too much alcohol can trigger overeating, make you promiscuous, impair driving ability and much more. He is also high in calories and can affect the rest of the diet. Used moderately, however, the nice grape juice apparently helps against just about every ailment and prolongs life.
Back to eating: always nice and slowly and at fixed times, the experts recommend, and rather eat something small more often, then you won't fill your stomach later. And the group shouldn't make themselves comfortable near the buffet in order to prevent unnecessary further munching.
Tomatoes? Not with Gerd
Here, however, there would be another option for women: attaching pictures from fashion magazines. If skinny models smile at even women of normal weight, the latter prefer to forego second helpings [1]. But the trick also works if your loved one doesn't have enough on your ribs - confront him with the handsomest muscle man from Men's He alth. Then he picks up again. Dangerous, but warns study leader Kristen Harrison from the University of Illinois: It doesn't build muscle, it builds fat. So be careful.
In addition: Anyone who eats too much is threatened by Gerd. Pardon: Gastro esophageal reflux disease or also morbid acid regurgitation. The symptoms can worsen especially at Christmas time - eat a lot, move little - explains Joseph White of Scott & White Hospital. "It's best not to overeat," he recommends. To the diet tips already mentioned, he adds avoiding orange or grapefruit juice, tomatoes, and using a thicker pillow to elevate your head at night.
Gifts? Just kid stuff
Now it's time for the presents. There are also many dangers lurking here, especially for children: last year more than 150,000 children under the age of 15 ended up in US emergency rooms because they injured themselves with toys. Sensible shopping is required: "Choose toys that are age-appropriate and correspond to the child's abilities and interests - even if you don't find them appealing on the outside," advises Wilson. Throw away the packaging right away so it doesn't cause any damage. And make sure the little ones don't get their fingers on the big things.
Sound stressful? That's exactly the problem: how many look forward to quiet days with their families. But for many, the holidays are anything but relaxing. Don't get the wrong idea, advises Christopher Colenda of Texas A&M University. And don't sink too deep into self-reflection, that can trigger depression. "One should look forward, not back, see the holidays as a new beginning with the possibilities of the future, not regrets about the past."
Introspection? Only for the mentally stable
If you have a loving being at your side, you should have fewer problems with such gloomy thoughts: When chaos reigns everywhere, holding hands helps to calm your nerves [2]. And if not – off into the winter sun. "One should look ahead, not back"
(Christopher Colenda) Even if she's sallow, even a one-hour walk has the same effect as the 2.5-hour light therapy recommended for people with winter depression.
In general, these walks, which apparently help us to get through this risky time more easily, could have a lasting positive effect: as a prelude to realistic good resolutions for the New Year. Here, too, we make a lot of mistakes - above all, taking on things that we cannot achieve. This is frustrating and should therefore be avoided. With the simple formula "Start" (specific, time, allow, reward, track) but, Colenda's colleague Marcia Ory promises us, we could at least make a resolution to do more physical activity next year - the walks so make it the rule. This works if we don't larifari, but define exactly what, when and how much we want to do, admit that it doesn't always work out and continue anyway, reward ourselves - with increasing demands - and keep a diary of our progress.
If you can hold out for half a year, you will see - it works. And can be happy because he or she apparently survived the dangerous Christmas season without any lasting damage. Well prepared for the coming festival, you can then sink back peacefully, happily, with a happy smile and enjoy the warmth of social ties and the most delicious dishes transfigured. Nice, isn't it?
