The Holiday’s often add stress.
Stress is part of life, but how we deal with it varies wildly. Some of us meditate. Some of us drink – or jog, or work harder, or eat junk food. Some of us take our stress out on our families or co-workers.
Since stress is always going to be part of our lives, we all need to find our own best tools for dealing with it.
Some have found healthy techniques: like going to the gym, talking with friends, doing yoga or meditation – or avoiding stressful situations. Some go fly fishing, or play basketball, or take long walks.
Relying heavily on alcohol, junk food, or medications is not a good long term strategy for success. Look in the mirror, and ask yourself this question: “Am I dealing with my stress in a healthy and sustainable way?” If not, then it’s time for a change. It might not be an easy topic to bring up with your doctor, but do it anyway. Remember, life is much too important to be taken too seriously.
This is the Doctor with your Stress Management Report.
Do you know a little boy or girl who would play forever in the snow if allowed?
Unfortunately, children can get hypothermia, and they need to be protected. This is true whether playing in the yard or out camping, hiking, or skiing with their families in winter weather.
To protect them, follow the same guidelines as for adults – headwear, mittens, and loose, layered clothing. Keep feet warm and dry. But the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests these rules, as well:
Dress infants and youngsters in one more layer than you would wear under the same conditions.
Don’t let them play too long. Bring them in frequently to warm up.
If traveling, keep food, blankets, and emergency supplies in the car.
If stranded, cover yourselves and cuddle together. (125)
And don’t forget. Infants and the elderly can get mild hypothermia indoors, in a house that’s not heated, or kept too cold by air conditioning.
Did you know that surgeons induce hypothermia when they need to slow the body’s metabolism?
But that’s a highly controlled situation. In nature, hypothermia can be deadly. It occurs when an unprotected body is exposed too long to extreme cold, wet, or windy conditions. The body loses heat faster than it can produce it. As body temperature falls, key organs begin to shut down.
If you’re going into nature, protect yourself and your family. Accidents happen. People get lost.
Here are some basic rules:
Wear a hat or head covering.
Cover your hands – mittens are better than gloves.
Avoid over exertion that makes you sweat.
Dress in loose fitting, layered clothing. Outer covering should protect from wind and water; wool next to the body helps contain body heat.
Stay dry. Remove wet clothing as soon as possible.
Remember, good preparation is good prevention.
Most of the injuries I see in the Emergency Room can be avoided with a little planning. So let’s think about how to lift heavy objects without hurting your back.
Most of us know, it doesn’t take much to twist, strain, or otherwise tweak your back. Proper lifting techniques and a little thought can help avoid these painful episodes.
So here are some basic reminders:
Plan your lift – think about how you’ll move and where.
Set your feet shoulder width apart. Bend your knees and lift with your legs – never your back.
Tighten your stomach muscles and keep the load close to your body.
Don’t twist.
If you have a belt or a back support, wear it.
If you have to strain to lift something heavy, get some help! Your friends and family would prefer to help you lift something heavy than nurse you back to health.
Have you ever taken a fall? It seems to hurt more when you’re older. Oh, those brittle bones!
Falls are still the most common home accident. Children and the elderly are most at risk. This is especially true during winter weather, when we come home on icy sidewalks and stairs, and enter the house with wet shoes.
We probably can’t eliminate slips and falls entirely. But we can do this:
Get rid of throw rugs, or if you insist on them, tape or tack them down.
Don’t put purses, toys, or other clutter in halls or on stairways intending to put it all away later.
Use nightlights and stairway light. Make sure you have clear passages between lamp switches and doorways.
Put non-slip mats in bathtubs. Install handrails.
Window guards and safety gates are a must if you have small children.
Rocket science? Nope. Just common sense.
