Hi friends!<\/p>\n

Happy holidays!\u00a0 As we wrap up this holiday season and head towards the new year, we know this particular week can be one of super stress.\u00a0 Between running to numerous events for kids and family, work parties and church gatherings, volunteering and on and on and on, we folks with conditions like lipedema absolutely must find time and ways to simplify and reduce stress as much as we can.<\/p>\n

Here are a few tips that might help you to enjoy and relax during these last couple of holidays.\u00a0 We’ve almost made it!<\/p>\n

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1. Start your day off on the right foot. When you wake up in the morning, be sure to stop and put your compression and quality shoes on before you go, go, go.\u00a0 This will help you control swelling and keep your feet feeling good.\u00a0 Having tired and achy feet can really make your whole body feel crummy.<\/li>\n
2. Drink lots of water all day.\u00a0 This will help your swelling and also keep you feeling great for the holiday by avoiding sugary, caffeinated, and other drinks that weigh you down.<\/li>\n
3. Help yourself with good sleep hygiene this last two weeks.\u00a0 Do this by:\n
   \n
   • Getting some sunlight in your eyes in the morning.<\/li>\n
   • Have a proper protein loaded breakfast near a window to let the sun in each morning.\u00a0 This helps set your circadian rhythm and give your a vitamin D boost for energy.\u00a0 Note that I said protein loaded breakfast too.\u00a0 Avoiding heavy carb breakfasts during stressful times can keep you on your A game with more consistent blood sugar levels and might keep you from having sugar crash naps.<\/li>\n
   • Speaking of napping, try to get some rest without sleeping each day, where you take a few minutes (up to 30) to lay down and read, or meditate, but not sleep.<\/li>\n
   • If you need to actually nap, set an alarm for 20-30 minutes so you avoid going into that super deep sleep and then waking up wondering what day it is.\u00a0 Refresh yourself but don’t overdo it and then walk around dazed and confused later.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
   • Stay on top of your multi vitamin and supplements this week.\u00a0 Take a look at your selenium content (that daily Brazil nut) and magnesium content this week as well.\u00a0 I actually use a product called CALM, which is basically a magnesium supplement.\u00a0 It helps with stress for me immensely (PS – talk with your doctor before adding supplements).\u00a0 Whatever it is you take, don’t skip it this week due to time constraints.\u00a0 Take that minute and take them.\n
     <\/a>

     Our doctor recommended CALM gummies. Talk to your doctor first!<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n

   • Avoid chaos and extra trips to the store by making a to-do and shopping list.\u00a0 If possible, use delivery services like Instacart or curbside pickup to save yourself the chaos of being in stores full of people with that wandering spirit (the people without lists). This also prevents you from buying one more gift to wrap or food item to prepare.<\/li>\n
   • Never waste a trip. This means if you’re in the house and heading to the kitchen, go ahead and grab your dish and take it with you.\u00a0 If you’re heading to the bedroom, grab shoes and put them away.\u00a0 Each time you think about what can be carried with you, you’re saving yourself a trip.\u00a0 Same goes for trips to the store.\u00a0 working from a list will help you consolidate.\u00a0 Plan your routes so that you can make a big loop and stop at all the places in one trip instead of making a trip for Walmart, a trip for the produce stand, etc.\u00a0 Just get it all done in one swoop!<\/li>\n
   • Let some stuff slide – prioritize what absolutely has to be done and skip things that are nice to haves. For example, do you really need to scrub the baseboards in the primary bedroom closet for a party?\u00a0 No, you don’t.\u00a0 Maybe shut a couple of doors and let some areas just be.\u00a0 Or do you really need to hand carve an ice sculpture or have a bar featuring ten drinks?\u00a0 Maybe make one signature drink and serve it from a pitcher.\u00a0 Simplify, simplify.<\/li>\n
   • Simplify decorations – use smaller, even minimalist touches of your holiday spirit throughout the house instead of going crazy and just inundating every square inch of space with decorations.\u00a0 It’ll still be pretty and will be less to put up in a couple of weeks.\u00a0 You might even opt for skipping the outdoor lighting and use a wreath, big bows, or one or two statement items in your yard.<\/li>\n
   • Allow people to help you – delegate!\u00a0 If someone is coming over and asks if they can stop for something on the way, say YES.\u00a0 Let someone else make that last minute run for ice or drinks and avoid yourself having to run out.\u00a0 If someone wants to bring a dish, LET THEM! Maybe this will give you time to you know, take a shower, or dry your hair instead of always being the one disheveled but with a perfect home and food spread.\u00a0 When folks offer to clean up or take out trash, let them!\u00a0 Give yourself time to enjoy parties instead of being the one who waits on everyone else.<\/li>\n
   • Simplify wrapping – use gift bags instead of more time-consuming wrapping techniques.\u00a0 Honestly no one cares and it will be prettier and less mess to clean up at the end.\u00a0 Don’t let the folks who make homemade everything on social media influence you to overdo it!<\/li>\n
   • Discover what foods you can have delivered or premade.\u00a0 Consider using things like pre-made veggie trays and desserts and fruits like grapes that just need a rinse instead of cutting, and precut cheese slices or cubes instead of cutting them yourself. Or this is crazy, have it catered and dropped off!\u00a0 I’ve been doing this for the last few graduations in the house and it’s awesome.\u00a0 You’d be surprised how cost effective it can be too when you add up all your costs.<\/li>\n
   • Use disposable plates instead of the good China for individuals this year.\u00a0 Just use the fancy dishes for serving.\u00a0 Save yourself some cleanup time.<\/li>\n
   • Literally book time on your calendar for rest, MLD, and baths.\u00a0 Mark that time for self care and protect it fiercely.<\/li>\n
   • Set boundaries with your social commitments.\u00a0 It’s OK to bow out of events a bit early or say no to last minute excursions that people tend to spring on us this time of year.\u00a0 It.\u00a0 Is.\u00a0 OK.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
     <\/a>

     This book has great, simple tips for stress reduction. Click the book to buy it on Amazon.<\/p><\/div>\n

     Intentionally set time for moments of relaxation, including time for deep breathing, laying down to prop your feet up and rest without sleeping can really create a more enjoyable last two weeks of the year.\u00a0 This is a new approach to many of us, who are responsible for making holidays happen, but it’s doable and we deserve it!<\/p>\n

     

     Take tiny moments to relax. It’ll be over soon enough!!!<\/p><\/div>\n

     Happy Holidays!<\/p>\n

     Susan<\/p>\n

     Contains paid ads.\u00a0 As an Amazon Associate, I receive earnings on your purchases.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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      <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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