Comments on: The Holiday Survival Sweepstakes: Travel-Tip Winners and Final Question: Less Stress? http://www.diabetesmine.com/2008/12/the-holiday-survival-sweepstakes-travel-tip-winners-and-final-question-less-stress.html A gold mine of straight talk and encouragement for people living with diabetes Mon, 13 Feb 2012 01:28:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Flashpoints. | Lemonade Life http://www.diabetesmine.com/2008/12/the-holiday-survival-sweepstakes-travel-tip-winners-and-final-question-less-stress.html/comment-page-1#comment-519482 Flashpoints. | Lemonade Life Wed, 28 Jul 2010 04:11:45 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=5276#comment-519482 [...] of eating habits, this is the last week to enter into the Diabetes Mine Holiday Survival Sweepstakes (holiday survival… holidays dinners… eating… eating habits… OK, maybe [...] [...] of eating habits, this is the last week to enter into the Diabetes Mine Holiday Survival Sweepstakes (holiday survival… holidays dinners… eating… eating habits… OK, maybe [...]

]]> By: AmyT http://www.diabetesmine.com/2008/12/the-holiday-survival-sweepstakes-travel-tip-winners-and-final-question-less-stress.html/comment-page-1#comment-194069 AmyT Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:53:55 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=5276#comment-194069 ** THE SWEEPSTAKES IS NOW CLOSED FOR COMMENTS/ CONTEST SUBMISSIONS. THANK YOU ALL FOR PARTICIPATING! ** ** THE SWEEPSTAKES IS NOW CLOSED FOR COMMENTS/ CONTEST SUBMISSIONS. THANK YOU ALL FOR PARTICIPATING! **

]]> By: Randee http://www.diabetesmine.com/2008/12/the-holiday-survival-sweepstakes-travel-tip-winners-and-final-question-less-stress.html/comment-page-1#comment-192856 Randee Mon, 22 Dec 2008 02:05:58 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=5276#comment-192856 I tackle the holiday stress by being organized. Being prepared comes with being T1, but with holiday parties & travelling & unexpected surprises at this time of year, nothing helps to prevent stress before it starts then knowing that if I all else fails, I have all my supplies ready & waiting. And, if all else fails, I head outside to play in the snow .... nothing takes the stress off like taking the time to have some fun in the snow!! I tackle the holiday stress by being organized. Being prepared comes with being T1, but with holiday parties & travelling & unexpected surprises at this time of year, nothing helps to prevent stress before it starts then knowing that if I all else fails, I have all my supplies ready & waiting.
And, if all else fails, I head outside to play in the snow …. nothing takes the stress off like taking the time to have some fun in the snow!!

]]> By: BrendaK http://www.diabetesmine.com/2008/12/the-holiday-survival-sweepstakes-travel-tip-winners-and-final-question-less-stress.html/comment-page-1#comment-188723 BrendaK Sat, 20 Dec 2008 02:30:53 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=5276#comment-188723 Seriously, you do not HAVE to bake cookies for every single child's Christmas program. When every single other parent brings cookies, no one will miss yours. The less you bake, the less you shop, the less you buy, the less you decorate, the less stress will be in your life! Doing all of those things are great if you WANT to do them, but if you are stressing out about not having time to frost and sprinkle the Christmas cookies, it's really not worth it! Seriously, you do not HAVE to bake cookies for every single child’s Christmas program. When every single other parent brings cookies, no one will miss yours. The less you bake, the less you shop, the less you buy, the less you decorate, the less stress will be in your life! Doing all of those things are great if you WANT to do them, but if you are stressing out about not having time to frost and sprinkle the Christmas cookies, it’s really not worth it!

]]> By: meg http://www.diabetesmine.com/2008/12/the-holiday-survival-sweepstakes-travel-tip-winners-and-final-question-less-stress.html/comment-page-1#comment-188577 meg Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:57:52 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=5276#comment-188577 One thing I find helpful during the stressful holiday season is planning ahead. Plan and shop for some easy to prepare, diabetes friendly meals. Sit down and map out the holiday events you will be attending. I put everything on a calendar, including the last minute gift shopping and a few trips to the gym. My diabetes control goes out the window when I have to eat whatever is handy, and I stress about having too much to do. Advance planning allows for a better diet , more exercise, and much less stress. One thing I find helpful during the stressful holiday season is planning ahead. Plan and shop for some easy to prepare, diabetes friendly meals. Sit down and map out the holiday events you will be attending. I put everything on a calendar, including the last minute gift shopping and a few trips to the gym. My diabetes control goes out the window when I have to eat whatever is handy, and I stress about having too much to do. Advance planning allows for a better diet , more exercise, and much less stress.

]]> By: Pubsgal http://www.diabetesmine.com/2008/12/the-holiday-survival-sweepstakes-travel-tip-winners-and-final-question-less-stress.html/comment-page-1#comment-188110 Pubsgal Fri, 19 Dec 2008 19:35:49 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=5276#comment-188110 This is my first holiday season with diabetes, although not the first one in "acting as if" (early pregnancy #2 and was hoping to dodge the gestational diabetes bullet...didn't work, by the way). What helped me stay sane this year: - Exercise. - Getting the cards done before Thanksgiving. It helps that we have that process 95% automated, too (printed address labels, photo card with text pre-printed). For some reason, that's the most stressful thing for me every year. - Not doing *every* Christmas event presented to us. - Getting help with the task list. I used to feel like *I* had to be the one to bake cookies, wrap gifts, etc. I'd get pretty stressed. This year, my husband took on the brunt of those tasks, and he did a fantastic job. - Staying mostly on track with food. Eating the best "good for me" foods at the right times during the time in between the more challenging moments, such as parties. - Reading the great tips here in preparing for party situations and holiday travel! Thanks, everyone! This is my first holiday season with diabetes, although not the first one in “acting as if” (early pregnancy #2 and was hoping to dodge the gestational diabetes bullet…didn’t work, by the way). What helped me stay sane this year:
- Exercise.
- Getting the cards done before Thanksgiving. It helps that we have that process 95% automated, too (printed address labels, photo card with text pre-printed). For some reason, that’s the most stressful thing for me every year.
- Not doing *every* Christmas event presented to us.
- Getting help with the task list. I used to feel like *I* had to be the one to bake cookies, wrap gifts, etc. I’d get pretty stressed. This year, my husband took on the brunt of those tasks, and he did a fantastic job.
- Staying mostly on track with food. Eating the best “good for me” foods at the right times during the time in between the more challenging moments, such as parties.
- Reading the great tips here in preparing for party situations and holiday travel! Thanks, everyone!

]]> By: Hannah http://www.diabetesmine.com/2008/12/the-holiday-survival-sweepstakes-travel-tip-winners-and-final-question-less-stress.html/comment-page-1#comment-188041 Hannah Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:51:23 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=5276#comment-188041 I think one of the best things you can do to offset your diabetes stress at the holidays is to just take just take a step back and realize that you've handled this before, so you'll make it through once again. Diabetes is stressful ALL year long, and while the holidays--with their many carb-laden treats, evenings spent indoors, and tasty spiced rum beverages--seem extra challenging, just remember that each day is a new day to start all over. Make sure to take insulin for ALL the cookies you ate, not just the one you ate without too much guilt. Go play with your kids in the snow tomorrow since you spent all evening in front of the TV avoiding it. Alternate your alcoholic party drinks with water, coffee, tea or diet soda. If you treat your holiday diabetes stress as a series of small, manageable incidents, it becomes so much simpler than fretting over what the entire holiday season means for your A1C. You can make it through one bit at a time. Still not happy enough? Well, 2009 is right around the corner, so start making your resolutions. I think one of the best things you can do to offset your diabetes stress at the holidays is to just take just take a step back and realize that you’ve handled this before, so you’ll make it through once again. Diabetes is stressful ALL year long, and while the holidays–with their many carb-laden treats, evenings spent indoors, and tasty spiced rum beverages–seem extra challenging, just remember that each day is a new day to start all over.

Make sure to take insulin for ALL the cookies you ate, not just the one you ate without too much guilt. Go play with your kids in the snow tomorrow since you spent all evening in front of the TV avoiding it. Alternate your alcoholic party drinks with water, coffee, tea or diet soda.

If you treat your holiday diabetes stress as a series of small, manageable incidents, it becomes so much simpler than fretting over what the entire holiday season means for your A1C. You can make it through one bit at a time. Still not happy enough? Well, 2009 is right around the corner, so start making your resolutions.

]]> By: joan http://www.diabetesmine.com/2008/12/the-holiday-survival-sweepstakes-travel-tip-winners-and-final-question-less-stress.html/comment-page-1#comment-187907 joan Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:58:55 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=5276#comment-187907 One more addition - I do my holiday shopping early Sunday morning when the malls open. Parking is so much easier and stores are virtually empty. I can get in and out very quickly. joan One more addition – I do my holiday shopping early Sunday morning when the malls open. Parking is so much easier and stores are virtually empty. I can get in and out very quickly.
joan

]]> By: Lee Ann Thill http://www.diabetesmine.com/2008/12/the-holiday-survival-sweepstakes-travel-tip-winners-and-final-question-less-stress.html/comment-page-1#comment-187886 Lee Ann Thill Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:41:13 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=5276#comment-187886 I'm all about staying creative. Personally, I gravitate toward art and crafty endeavors - making cards (be creative and take care of a holiday task), drawing, painting, computer graphics, knitting. Beyond that, there's cooking, gardening (which can be an indoor project this time of year), dancing (have fun and get exercise). Even if you think you're "not good at it", whatever "it" might be, set your inner critic aside, and do something for the sake of doing it, focusing more on the process than the product. If you can lose yourself in an activity like that, you could emerge feeling mentally renewed. Maybe you'll get happily surprising results, but if not, it might be an opportunity to stretch your self-forgiveness muscle, something we diabetics don't seem to be so adept at all the time. Better yet, get a buddy to join you or collaborate with your kid. Help each other, have some good conversation (working alongside your child is marvelously conducive to quality discussion time), and possibly get a few laughs, and you'll find yourself in a much improved state-of-mind when you're done. I’m all about staying creative. Personally, I gravitate toward art and crafty endeavors – making cards (be creative and take care of a holiday task), drawing, painting, computer graphics, knitting. Beyond that, there’s cooking, gardening (which can be an indoor project this time of year), dancing (have fun and get exercise). Even if you think you’re “not good at it”, whatever “it” might be, set your inner critic aside, and do something for the sake of doing it, focusing more on the process than the product. If you can lose yourself in an activity like that, you could emerge feeling mentally renewed. Maybe you’ll get happily surprising results, but if not, it might be an opportunity to stretch your self-forgiveness muscle, something we diabetics don’t seem to be so adept at all the time. Better yet, get a buddy to join you or collaborate with your kid. Help each other, have some good conversation (working alongside your child is marvelously conducive to quality discussion time), and possibly get a few laughs, and you’ll find yourself in a much improved state-of-mind when you’re done.

]]> By: LBLICE http://www.diabetesmine.com/2008/12/the-holiday-survival-sweepstakes-travel-tip-winners-and-final-question-less-stress.html/comment-page-1#comment-186855 LBLICE Fri, 19 Dec 2008 03:40:09 +0000 http://www.diabetesmine.com/?p=5276#comment-186855 my husband and I are both diabetic. His parents are also. Taking care of them is our biggest stress. We do it for 11 months every year. Our stress reliever is when we put his parents on a plane to the family up north for 5 or 6 weeks. The stress starts diminishing the minute they clear the security gate. We then take the time to reaquaint ourselves with each other and just relax and concentrate on ourselves. We also like to play wrestling on the PS3, beating the tar out of an imaginary person is a great stress reliever and has also helped to lower our blood pressure. I have documentation to back that claim up!!! BTW any adrenaline type game will work as well. my husband and I are both diabetic. His parents are also. Taking care of them is our biggest stress. We do it for 11 months every year. Our stress reliever is when we put his parents on a plane to the family up north for 5 or 6 weeks. The stress starts diminishing the minute they clear the security gate. We then take the time to reaquaint ourselves with each other and just relax and concentrate on ourselves.
We also like to play wrestling on the PS3, beating the tar out of an imaginary person is a great stress reliever and has also helped to lower our blood pressure. I have documentation to back that claim up!!! BTW any adrenaline type game will work as well.

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