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News Releases
Surviving Holiday Stress
The holiday season is tricky for most people to survive - shopping, traveling, cooking - it all takes its toll on the body. But for people with arthritis, the hustle and bustle of the holiday season can cause fatigue and stress, making them feel worse.
"There are many physical cues people can use to gauge when it is time to slow down," says Kathy Donovan Hanson, senior researcher at the Missouri Arthritis Rehabilitation Research and Training Center at the University of Missouri-Columbia. "Feeling more tired than usual and increased pain are two cues. People may also find they are gritting their teeth or even holding their breath due to increased stress. It is important to listen to the messages sent by our bodies."
So, while it isn't possible to be stress-free, Donovan Hanson suggests a few things people with arthritis can do to ensure an enjoyable holiday season.
- Plan Ahead. "It wouldn't be smart to put all the shopping off until the end or to do it all on one day," says Donovan Hanson. Plan your holiday duties so that the necessary pace is right for your body. "Additionally, people who take immunosuppressant medications (i.e. methotrexate, biologic response modifiers) may want to try to shop when the stores are not crowded to avoid exposure to germs," suggests Donovan Hanson. "Tuesdays are often slow retail days."
- Simplify. "People may need to pick and choose which social invitations they wish to accept so as not to over-do," says Donovan Hanson. "It is important to participate in enjoyable activities, but too many can wear a person out." Be reasonable with your holiday expectations. Only do what you can.
- Take Care. "As always, it is important to eat well, but not too much," says Donovan Hanson. "Drink plenty of fluids and balance exercise and rest. Those are always the basic foundations of good stress management."
- Be Patient. "I think of this time of year as 'tis the season to be patient,'" says Donovan Hanson. "The traffic is heavier and the lines are longer. Practice slow, deep breathing when you feel yourself becoming impatient. It can make a world of difference."
When navigating this year's holiday season, take time for yourself. It is important to listen to your body and not to ignore your aches and pains. Schedule some rest and relaxation into your busy holiday plans - your body will thank you later.
The Missouri Arthritis Research Rehabilitation and Training Center (MARRTC) was established in 1971 at the University of Missouri-Columbia Arthritis Center. MARRTC is funded by the U.S. Department of Education's National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (H133B031120) and is the only federally funded arthritis rehabilitation research and training center in the country.
As part of the MU Health Communication Research Center (HCRC), MARRTC's mission is to become a national leader in the areas of disability management and communication, improve the quality of life and promote independent living among people who have arthritis and arthritic conditions. MARRTC's core message is "Disability is everyone's issue."
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