Thriving or surviving Christmas with M.E.

Christmas can bring up a variety of anxieties, worries and issues for us all, especially for those with chronic exhaustive conditions who, by their very nature, are perfectionists; ‘A type’ personalities and usually the ones to organise Christmas. So here are some ways to pre-empt and avoid the Christmas crash, taking out the worry of "will I feel too tired for the day; will I have the stamina?” Physically

• Remember the kitchen floor does not need to be scrubbed - your guests have come to see you, not your house
• Remember to keep taking your adrenal support; these can get forgotten in the busy period
• Relax and enjoy the main meal without overdoing it
• Avoid grazing the sugary Christmas treats that will increase inflammation, causing pain flare ups
• Keep the water going so the liver and kidneys are not put under additional stress
• Use the left overs from the savoury meal to make a nutritious soup that will soothe any sensitive gut
• Eat live plain organic yogurt, 1 or 2 tablespoons daily, to keep the guts flora and fauna happy and strengthen the immune system
• Take yourself off in the afternoon for a nap
• Go outside for some fresh air
• Try to avoid alcohol which is a diuretic, and which the liver considers a toxin. It also spikes your blood sugars, so if you indulge make sure you eat something with it, and try to stick to champagne!!
• If the Christmas cake is calling to you, eat it at the end of a meal so it can combine with other foods, therefore lessening blood sugar level problems

Emotionally Christmas is full of the ‘shoulds', the ‘ought to’s' and the ‘musts’. A time when we are often together with people we only see once a year. So;

• Know what will affect you and say No. Know what will nurture you and say Yes
• Journal any concerns or anxieties and see how you can eliminate them or overcome them
• With family visits try and avoid conflict and ‘the guilt trip’. “How?” you may ask
• Don't jump into conversations that trigger anxiety in you; change the subject whenever possible, or just leave the room. Old patterns can get triggered, so try and observe rather than jump in
• Focus on what you can do and still stay well, however small that contribution may be
• With social events, don't avoid all of them, just remember to pace; maybe just stay for an hour

May 2016 be the year you get your health and life back on track. If you would like to know more about the work I do supporting recovery for those with M.E., C.F.S. and Fibromyalgia please feel free to contact me. Merry Christmas everyone! words: Jackie Webster - Chrysalis Effect Practitioner Jackie @wellbeingessentials.org.uk wellbeingessentials.org.uk