Don't "Buy" Into It

Have a blessed Christmas

It’s hard to believe that a time of year that is supposed to be about peace and joy and happiness can bring such STRESS to many! That’s right; Christmas is one of the most stressful times of the year for most Canadians. Not only is Christmas stressful in terms of its emotional impact (shopping, financial stress, preparing for guests, converting kids from “gimmie monsters” into “giving angels”), but it is also stressful physically. We tend to let our nutrition take a turn for the worse. Gyms are often empty for much of December. And some people even miss the occasional adjustment! In reality, this is the most important time to take care of YOU. So, if you want to “survive” Christmas with as little physical and emotional damage as you can, now is the time to make sure that you are in the best health possible.

If you continue to get adjusted, eat well, exercise, and get plenty of rest and sleep, you will be able to handle all types of stress (this will even allow you to cheat a little and not suffer major consequences). However, if you let these slide you will suffer the consequences: weight gain, decreased energy, lowered immunity, and an unpleasant disposition – aka, Scroogitis (to name just a few). Do you remember the movie Super-Size Me? It took the main character 18 months to recover from 30 days of an unhealthy lifestyle! It’s not worth it. Staying on track will allow you to actually ENJOY the holiday and you’ll have the very best start to 2020 possible! I have included the Happy Healthy Christmas Guide below to help you succeed this Christmas.

Your health should always be a priority no matter what the season, but Christmas is all about JESUS. I realize that we all have different beliefs, but regardless of what you believe, the only reason we celebrate this holiday at all is because some 2000 years ago a baby was born. That baby (a “real” and historical person) would change history forever. Whether His birthday was December 25 or not we have chosen to celebrate His birth in various ways. For some it’s a time to reflect on the past year and to look forward to a new one. For some it’s a time to reconnect with family and create loving memories. And for others it’s a time to thank God for the amazing gift of His Son, for forgiveness, grace, and infinite love. Behind it all is a spirit of giving, sharing and loving. That is what my God is all about and that is what I hope you all take out of Christmas this year. Jesus epitomizes love and is the perfect example for us to emulate.   What better time than Christmas to practice being more Christ-like? Whether you believe or not, use this time to really assess how well you are sharing, giving, and loving. See through the commercialism and don’t “buy” into it! Christmas has nothing to do with the latest iPhone and everything to do with being a blessing to others. Look for opportunities to bless as many people as possible in the weeks to come (and forever). Remember that you never know how far reaching something you think, say, or do today will affect the lives of millions tomorrow. Be a world changer.

On that note, I believe that nobody should be alone over the holiday. Therefore, my wife, Gayle, and I would like to extend an invitation to any and all practice members who would like to join us for some Christmas cheer this holiday. Our house is open to anyone who doesn’t have family or can’t be with their family this Christmas. Please let us know if you will be joining us (drjeff@drjeff.ca). Have a safe, healthy, and blessed Christmas.

The Happy Healthy Christmas Guide!

1)     Be a Blessing – Find someone with a need and fill it.

2)     Forgive – Christmas is about family and relationships. Unforgiveness robs YOU of health and happiness.

3)     Make your adjustments a priority – The holiday season is the best time to make up missed adjustments and fit in an extra adjustment for optimal nerve function. I will be available for emergencies over some of the holiday (text at 403-606-8754).

4)     Do your homecare exercises/traction – maintain your corrective momentum during the holiday.

5)     Increase your Vitamin D – with all the added stress of the holidays, our immune system takes a beating. Extra Vitamin D will ensure a strong immune system and fight any holiday viruses. Wash your hands too!

6)     Eat the healthy stuff first – this ensures that you are getting the nutrition that you need and leaves less room for the sugar!

7)     Cheat wisely – commit to a certain (low) number of sweets or drinks per day and don’t overindulge. Set a Limit: Stay Within it! When you eat the said number of sweets…ENJOY them!

8)     Drink more water than usual – water will help you rid your body of unwanted toxins and will also help you avoid overindulgence by keeping you feeling full. Add 1-2 extra Litres of water per day.

9)     Commit to Keep Moving – you might not have time to go to the gym but commit to a minimum of daily activity. This could be walking, skating, skiing/snowboarding, tobogganing, or just a super fun snowball fight!

10) Get plenty of SLEEP – the benefits of a good night’s sleep are too numerous to comment on here. Use this down time to rest and allow your body to recuperate. YES, NAPS ARE GOOD FOR YOU!

11) Remember the Reason for the Season - Christmas is ALL ABOUT LOVE!

Enjoy your Christmas and be a BLESSING!

Dr. Jeff and Team