I thought I knew what I was writing about in my blog this week. Then I realized that I had written about the same thing last year at this time. Although I’m not sure I learned that I needed to slow down last year… you can bet I’ll try again this year. Here is that blog:

It dawned on me the other day – after a specific incident I’ll mention in a moment – that despite all the joy and exhilaration of this season, it’s also one that can be loaded with danger if we’re not careful. And that’s exactly what we’re NOT during this month because there’s too much to do and too much rushing. 

Let me backtrack first. We had a huge snowstorm over the weekend; in fact, it set a record for December snowfalls in Baltimore (a bit over 20 inches).  It left the ground and the world pristine and gorgeous, and we were able to get out and about easily fairly soon. After lots of digging and plowing of course. 

I’m terrified of falling. You already know that if you’ve read our book or have seen prior blogs (http://www.smartwomanshealth.com/horn_miller_blog/?p=282). Because of this, I am extra cautious about watching where and how I walk when doing stairs, and of course, when there’s been rain or snow or ice. Despite thinking I was being careful yesterday on the first day out after the snowstorm, I missed seeing a patch of ice as I was coming out of the grocery store, and the next thing I knew, I was flat on the ground with the hot tea from my cup spilled all over me. The only thing good about it was that it happened so fast that I didn’t have time to get that awful feeling you get AS you are falling.

It started me thinking that perhaps I had NOT been as cautious as I usually am, or that I had been in such a hurry because of all the things I had to do, that I was distracted. And this led me to the realization that distraction due to rushing and being more overprogrammed than usual is the cause of many potential dangers lying in wait for us during this busy and harried season.  So, I made a list of the potential dangers that may occur because we are too busy, rushing too much, or overtired now.

·        Falling or having an accident (car or other)

·        Overeating

·        Eating too much sugar

·        Drinking too much alcohol

·        Smoking

·        Spending too much money

·        Not getting enough sleep

·        Not getting enough exercise

·        Being emotionally raw

·        Getting depressed

·        Completely missing the joy of the season

Now, doing any of the above for a short period of time may not be harmful, but the Holiday Season generally lasts at least one month or more for all of us. Doing any or all of the above for that period of time can be devastating to your health, especially since it can lead you to break all your good habits from the prior ten or eleven months.

The simple remedy? SLOW DOWN and FOCUS.  Be aware that rushing and being distracted and trying to do too many things can put you at risk for an accident or worse.  Tell yourself that it’s ok if: 1) you don’t get your Holiday cards out until after Christmas or 2) you’re late to a holiday party or 3) you give someone on your list a gift card to Amazon instead of picking out the perfect present or 4) you send store-bought cookies to the school party instead of baking them yourself , and so forth. You get the picture.  Remember that all the perfectly-chosen gifts and home baked cookies in the world are not worth anything if they  cost you your good health and health habits.

Wishing a joyful and slow Holiday season – Merry Christmas and Happy Kwanzaa! And hope your Chanukah was wonderful.