Why An Imperfect Holiday Is Best For Your Health

What do you consider to be the perfect holiday? Maybe there’s snow on the ground, or perhaps you’re in a tropical paradise. Is there a toasty fire and eggnog, or hot chocolate and a twinkling tree? While we may have these visions of what an idyllic holiday is supposed to look like, most of us have a much different experience. And you know what? It’s better that way.

Leave the winter wonderlands, sleigh rides and jingle bells to the songs and movies. Instead of overspending, overdoing and overeating to achieve a storybook holiday, let’s focus on enjoying, relaxing and embracing a one-of-a-kind celebration. Not only will you have more fun, your health may benefit, too.

To help you make the most of your wonderfully, imperfect holiday season, we asked Sheila Warren, RN, GMC's Wellness Navigator for simple ways to just that. With her help, we came up with these 5 tips to help you recapture the joy of the season, while also supporting your overall well-being:

1.    Reset your expectations. When it comes holiday hiccups—a burned turkey, a pet-wrecked tree, a delayed gift delivery—it’s not a matter of if, but a matter of when. While we all know this, sometimes the pressure of the season gets to us and little things become big things. "Put simply, the best way to minimize frustration and disappointment: don't expect everything to go exactly according to plan," explains Sheila. Besides, the best (and most memorable) holidays are the crazy, unique and imperfect ones.

2.    Maintain healthy habits. How in the world are you supposed to get in regular exercise amidst decorating and attending seasonal parties? Simple, just don’t try to do it all. It’s okay to not put up every last decoration, or not attend every single party on your calendar. Don’t be afraid to choose your health over other holiday to-dos. "That means following your usual schedule for meals, exercise and sleep," says Sheila. "These simple, yet essential, habits will help you to feel your best all season so you can enjoy every last part."

3.    Create new traditions. The holidays are known for being a time filled with family traditions. But there’s no reason you can’t marry time-old traditions with a fresh, new take on things. Don’t be afraid to mix things up and try something new. Sure, it may not be perfect, but you’ll make fun memories in the process. " You can try making homemade decorations, play a new board game, watch a favorite movie or sing Christmas-carol karaoke," adds Sheila. 

4.    Prep your party strategy. Just the thought of holiday treats is enough to get most of our tummies rumbling. And once you smell those delicious dishes—game over. Who can resist the sweet smell of freshly-baked cookies? That right there is exactly why it’s important to have a game plan before you arrive at a food-filled party. "One of the best things you can do is to grab a healthy snack beforehand, so you won’t arrive ravenous," emphasizes Sheila. "Once you’re at the party, scope out the food table and decide what you’ll eat before you start filling your plate."

5.    Don’t overspend on gifts. All of those online deals are hard to resist—BOGO, 40% off, Rewards Cash—yes, please! But before you know it, you’ve spent more than your fair share of the holiday budget because things add up quickly. And we get it; you just want to get the perfect gifts for everyone on your list, don’t we all? Instead of adding more and more to your shopping cart, "try making something homemade," says Sheila, "or donate to a special cause on their behalf." A thoughtful and meaningful gift goes a long way.

6.    Just enjoy yourself. Unfortunately, it isn’t just the salty, sugary foods that are hard on you. Or that extra gift you spent money on. It’s the guilt and hardship many of us experience afterwards. "We can be tough on ourselves," explains Sheila, "and this only spikes stress, anxiety and disappointment." So instead of pressuring yourself to not falter on your diet or budget, embrace the indulgence. "When you relax and let yourself celebrate your brain actually increases oxytocin, noradrenaline and endorphins, all of which boost happiness, energy and bonding," notes Sheila. Plus, these hormones also support physical health, too.

Have a holly jolly holiday. December doesn’t just mean dancing sugar plums and roasting chestnuts, it also means stomach bugs, the cold and flu, and seasonal stress. But just because there are a few health hurdles, doesn’t mean you have to miss all of the fun and festivities. Whether you’re in search of healthful information, preventative care or recommendations for diagnostics and treatment, GMC’s Wellness Navigator is prepared to offer the support and guidance you need. This holiday season, let GMC’s health experts keep you and your family feeling merry and bright.

4 Signs You May Actually Have Endometriosis

Painful cramps (back, abdomen or groin). Painful bowel movements. Heavy and/or long menstrual bleeding. Fatigue. Bloating. Pain during intercourse. If this sounds like your run-of-the-mill period, then we’ve got a problem. That’s because many of those symptoms are key signs of the common condition, endometriosis.

This disorder occurs when the endometrial tissue that forms the lining of the uterus, grows other places in the body. Once outside of the uterus, the tissue is able to reproduce itself and continue spreading. On top of that, many of the most common symptoms of endometriosis mimic those of PMS, uterine fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Therefore, endometriosis growths often go unchecked and the condition remains undiagnosed, sometimes for upwards of a decade.

To ensure that women of all ages—from the time of your first menstrual cycle to your last—know the common signs of endometriosis, Sheila Warren, RN, GMC’s Wellness Navigator, explains the key symptoms you should never ignore.

Painful cramps.

Yes, a certain amount of cramping during your period is to be expected. After all, your uterus is contracting to shed its lining. However, there’s a point at which cramps turn from bearable—albeit unpleasant—to extremely severe and painful.

“For instance, sharp localized or shooting pain in your abdomen, groin, back or rectum, this could be a sign of endometriosis, especially if you notice this pain between andduring your period,” explains Warren.

“If you’re on the fence about whether or not your cramps are really that severe, a good rule-of-thumb is whether or not your cramps affect or limit your everyday activities.”

Digestive issues.

When it’s running smoothly, the digestive tract works to process food by moving it from the stomach, though the intestinal tract and finally to the rectum. Unfortunately, there are a lot of factors that can interfere with this process along the way—and it doesn’t take much.

“Whether it’s eating something questionable, having endometriosis or battling IBS, any number of things can disrupt the digestive process,” notes Warren. This leads to symptoms like pain, cramping, constipation, diarrhea and bloating.

“While IBS causes all of these symptoms, there are few key ways endometriosis-induced tummy trouble differs,” adds Warren. “The main takeaway being that with endometriosis, pain and cramping will not decrease after a bowel movement, like it does with IBS.”

Heavy periods.

Depending on who you ask, you’ll receive a different definition of what constitutes a heavy period. This is often based on personal experience. Unfortunately, though, for a woman with endometrioses, a heavy period may be all she knows.

Of course it isn’t just endometriosis that impacts your monthly cycle. There are many other factors that come into play, such as stress, exercise, weight loss/gain and more. 

“There are many different ways to gauge the heaviness of periods—flow, clotting or number of days—so if you feel your periods may be abnormal, it’s best to consult with your medical provider,” emphasizes Warren.

Fatigue.

Energy seems to be one of those things that’s always in short supply. Whether it’s a lack of sleep, sitting in an office all day, eating junk food or all of the above, it doesn’t take much to zap your energy.

However, when that drowsy tiredness that creeps in every afternoon shifts into chronic fatigue, there could be something more at play, like endometriosis. “Because of the increased blood loss each month, some women experience fatigue as a result of anemia,” says Warren.

“If you’re struggling to concentrate, having difficulty sleeping, experiencing aching muscles or joints, or weakness, this may be cause for concern,” notes Warren. “If you notice these symptoms peaking during your period, endometriosis may be the culprit.”

Are there any other symptoms?

The truth is there are a wide variety of symptoms that can be linked to endometriosis. You may notice pain with sex, nausea/vomiting, painful urination, spotting or no symptoms at all. “The only way you’ll really know if its endometriosis or something else entirely, is to work with your healthcare provider,” notes Warren.

“If you notice any of these symptoms, or are experiencing something that’s abnormal for you, don’t wait to get care.” Put your mind and symptoms at ease by talking with the provider that knows you and your health best.

Complete care for every stage of life.

The expertsof Gwinnett Physicians Group–OB/GYN are dedicated to fulfilling the unique medical needs of women. With an extensive range of comprehensive women’s health services, you will receive personalized care you deserve. And because we know that women’s health extends beyond gynecologic and reproductive care, Gwinnett Physician’s Group OB/GYN can connect you with the vast array of services and resources of GMC.