This is such a happy and joyous time of year. Unfortunately it is also highly stressful and often depressing as well. What can you do? More than you might think actually. Try these 5 very simple suggestions to manage your holiday stress:

1. Get enough rest! This is hugely important. When your body lacks sleep, it is like running on empty. You feel awful and irritable. The easiest way for me to find extra time to rest is to turn of the TV and hit the sack a half hour earlier. Every bit counts.

2. Take your vitamins. This is the time of year when we overindulge on food, glorious food, and you know I'm not talking about raw organic vegetables. I take a  multivitamin, calcium, magnesium, iron, and vitamin B12. Check with your doc first though.

3. Get at least 20 minutes of daylight on your retinas every day. This is huge. This means go outside without sunglasses. Go get the mail, make a second trip for the newspaper, walk your kids to the bus, or walk Fido. Exposing your eyes to sun rays (yes, even on dark cloudy days) for at least 20 minutes a day is a natural antidepressant. This is a great way to stave the winter blues.

4. Keep it simple. If you are entertaining, ask guests to bring a dish (less cooking). Put out half your Christmas decorations. Your kids won't notice if the tree doesn't have your hand blown glass heirloom ornaments. Decorate with the stuff they bring home from school or religion. This is the real treasure anyway. Bake 2 kinds of holiday cookies instead of the usual load and buy the rest if need be.  Besides, you are not eating any of them anyway!~  lol

5. Practice giving every day. The more you give, the more you receive. This is a universal law. Give a smile to the grouchy deli guy. Silently wish happiness and abundance on everyone you encounter. Pay someone a compliment without expecting one in return. Also, by doing #1-4, you are giving to yourself. When you love and serve yourself, you can better love and serve others.

Happy Holidays to you and your family!

Thanksgiving Tips

o    Don’t forgo your exercise. That said, nobody wants to (or has time to) hit the gym on Thanksgiving Day. Instead, invite your guests to a walk before the meal and another walk before dessert is served. It will keep the dogs calmer, the kids a bit less bouncy and everyone with a healthy appetite.

o    Even though you may be up early cooking or doing some last minute tiding up, have breakfast. A protein shake is a good option, since you can easily whip one up and continue with your busy schedule. The protein shake will also keep you feeling satisfied, so you will be less tempted to graze on all the goodies before the Thanksgiving meal.

o    If this is your first Thanksgiving after the Lap-Band, Gastric Bypass or Sleeve Gastrectomy, consider serving yourself a little less than what you think you will eat. When socializing and focusing on the guests, you may not realize how much you have eaten and feel very uncomfortable. Serving yourself less will help you avoid this problem. Plus, this gives you opportunity to reach for seconds if you choose to do so.

o    Be realistic. Thanksgiving is not about worrying about how much protein you had and how many calories are in the mashed potatoes. Just try to stick to this simple rule: have some protein first. Reach for the juicier dark meat turkey first and add some gravy, if you wish. Enjoy the food and savor the wonderful smells and flavors.

o    Go easy on the wine and cocktails. Some patients, especially during the rapid weight loss phase, have a much lower tolerance to alcohol. A little can go a long way. Also a word of caution: Gastric Bypass patients could experience dumping syndrome from alcohol, especially when drinking hard liquors that are mixed in the cocktails.

o    Focus on your family and friends. Ultimately, that is what thanksgiving is all about. Enjoy the holiday and the time that you can share with your loved ones.