Thoughts About the Holidays
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| Upstate New York Adirondack Mountains November 2017 |
I read a CNN (11/09/2023) article by Kristen Rogers, about a UK study published in BMC Medicine that indicates people that don't have connections with their family and friends have a 39% chance of dying earlier than folks that do interact with their family and friends.
It boggles my mind how we ever survived without all the information about what to eat, how to exercise, find friends, survive divorce and so on. I imagine most every subject that can be a study, is a study somewhere from a high school final paper to a PhD dissertation. Oh, and then to be established in one's field, one must be published...more conclusions about what is bad for us or going to shorten our lives.
As for any time of the year, following our doctor's instructions goes above any holiday frollicking, including drinking and food.
As a single parent back in the day, I had a family rule that during the holiday season, December into January, there are to be no arguments. It bit me a few times, but I survived.
With that in mind, holidays are a time to relax, go with the flow, find enjoyment in things, the people we shmooze, spend time with. If being unconnected to friends and family, then maybe you can find other ways to connect.
- Bird Seed (to watch birds)
- Mail homemade cards
- Church
- Christmas Carol Concerts
- Volunteer at a local animal shelter or food shelf
- Book a vacation
- Watch holiday feel good movies (stop if you have nightmares about Santa's sleigh going missing)
- Join an exercise group where nobody knows your name until you tell them
- Take ballroom dance lessons
- Blog
My family (as a child or a parent) wasn't an argumentative one as it happens but I do like that rule. I can't imagine being friendless but, as we get older, it can happen more easily. I shouldn't like that situation.
ReplyDeleteWe speak to people we encounter during our walks and get to know them over time. The social interaction is as important as the physical activity.
ReplyDeleteGraham,
ReplyDeleteA group of friends are like a solar system, and you are the star. I'm glad you have a lot of planets in your solar system.
Marie,
ReplyDeleteBeing out and about is a whole other group of friends that are nice to have.
When some out and about regulars move or retired, others arrive to fill the space.
You can also enjoy your solitary time too ~ Every day is a 'holiday' ~ Xo
ReplyDeleteWishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
This is a wonderful post, leaving much to think on. I like your holiday rule! And the list!
ReplyDeleteCarol,
ReplyDeleteTrue, our outlooks is everything for a holiday year round.
Jeanie,
ReplyDeleteCovid has put a damper on our lives for so many years, it is time I masked up and went out around more people.
I hope we all have a safe and happy holiday season.
That was a good and smart family rule - no arguments during the months of December. Yes, so much information on the internet. Sometimes it's a bit much and overwhelming, so I limit the time spent on there.
ReplyDeleteMaking homemade cards sounds very nice.
~Sheri
Sheri,
ReplyDeleteNo agruments is tricky when there's a disagreement over dinner. lol
Sometimes I think we have access to too much information too easily. How does it really benefit our lives? Your rule about no arguments during the season is a good one. Social connection is so important for healthy living - family, friends, community, church, clubs - all good ideas. We're getting together to celebrate fall birthdays on Saturday with the family.
ReplyDeleteLorrie,
ReplyDeleteThose birthday party groups by month are a family holiday.
Have fun!
Holidays, for us at least, are pretty much a non-event (barring the gift making of course). Our closest in distance son is a chef and always has to work holidays so we never know when we'll get to see them. Last year it was June before we managed to get together. Other son is in BC so we hope we can video chat with them. Our friends are all busy with their own families and understandably so.
ReplyDeleteMaryanne,
ReplyDeleteYour situation is about what a lot of folks deal with during the holidays. I have no family in the area, and a very few friends and acquiantances that have their own family gathering for the holidays.
I am good spending my holiday solo. There's plenty of fairs, concerts, church and such to attend instead.
This is a tough time of year for me. In retrospect it would have been better to speak my mind at Christmas, even if it started an argument.
ReplyDeleteWilliam,
ReplyDeleteMaybe so.
I don't know your circumstances.
I do know there are times when I should have spoken up and got it over with. Instead, I keep it inside while others go along their merry way. Tough decision to know when to speak or not.