Start Planning Today for a Stress-free Holiday Season

While the holiday season brings joy and togetherness, it can also bring stress for many individuals and families. Top holiday stressors include staying on a budget, managing multiple commitments and finding the perfect gift. Fortunately, by getting organized and planning out what you can ahead of time, you can help reduce your holiday stress.

• Write down any known commitments. Does your child’s school have a holiday concert? Are you planning on hosting a holiday dinner? Making a list of your commitments will help you plan your time and help you avoid double-booking yourself.
• Create your budget now. If you’re stressed about how your holiday spending will impact you after the holidays are over, you’re not alone. Remember, the sentiment of a gift is much more important than the cost. Set a realistic budget and do not go over it.
• Start shopping early. Do you already know what you want to get some people on your list? Don’t be afraid to shop early. Sometimes, you can get great deals on presents even before the holiday season hits. Moreover, you can avoid the scenario of not being able to get the gift you want because it’s sold out.

Though these tips won’t prevent all of the holiday stress you may experience, they can definitely can help reduce it. If you experience high holiday stress, try these coping mechanisms to get your stress under control.

American Diabetes Month

American Diabetes Month, which occurs every November, aims to raise awareness of the growing public health crisis of diabetes. More than 29 million people in the United States have diabetes. Moreover, according to the National Diabetes Prevention Program, 1 in 3 American adults has prediabetes. People who have prediabetes are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes, have a 50 percent higher risk for cardiovascular disease and may already be experiencing adverse health effects.

People with prediabetes often have no signs or symptoms, or don’t recognize them because they develop slowly over a period of time. The American Diabetes Association has created a quiz that can help you find out if you’re at risk for developing prediabetes. You should also contact your doctor if you are concerned about your risk of developing prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes.

If diagnosed with prediabetes, you can and should do something about it. Studies show that people with this condition can prevent or delay the development of Type 2 diabetes through simple lifestyle changes like regularly exercising, maintaining a healthy weight and eating well.