Caring for our physical and emotional heart are both important! The holidays can take a toll on our heart health in many ways. If you are not able to physically visit loved ones live this year-take the time for a long phone call or Face-time. Many seniors have a difficult time when they are not able to see family regularly.
If you have a loved one in a senior facility and you are not allowed to visit, drop off a package and then call them while they open it. Also, if you are family with a health care giver- please care for them a little extra encouragement as well.
Here are few suggestions for making this season of holidaying merry and bright: to make this season heart healthy physically and emotionally:
Care for a heart healthy day:
-Stop and take a deep breath if you get anxious or winded.
-Take a few minutes of quiet from the noise if you get overwhelmed.
-Don’t sit for more than 2 hours- get up intermittently and take a short walk to stretch your legs and improve your circulation.
-Sit on chairs with arm rests, or the side of the couch with an arm rest available.
-Be cautious on steps and stairs- make sure the lighting is good and have assistance.
Care for heart healthy diet:
-Have a plain baked potato or sweet potato, and roasted vegetables with herbs available for the few that may want it (in place of casseroles).
-Put the salad dressing on the side.
-Have fruit infused water or flavored unsweet tea instead of wine or soda.
-Have a fruit tray and veggie tray available as healthy options.
Care for a heart-filling day:
-If you can’t visit the people you love in person make sure to face time or call (our seniors need extra love this time of year).
-Leave a small (not too heavy) gift basket for someone as a surprise or if you cannot visit.
Last minute gift ideas: A gift card for something to do together might be a hope-filled gift! Also: a scented microwaveable heating pad, a diffuser and essential oils, lotion, non skid socks, roomy pajamas, large print puzzle books, a fun calendar, chap stick, mints or sugar free candies, or a back support pillow.
Did you wait until the last minute? Send a beloved senior a downloadable copy of printable health organizers and let them know you care about their health!
***Clinicians: If you enjoy learning about nutrition and health, consider gaining CEU credits with this awesome course: Food as Medicine, by PESI (affiliate link).
Nutrition is a critical component of the healing process for every patient you treat. Not only will you learn the most current science and evidence-based tools, but also simple lifestyle hacks that lead to lasting behavior change. This comprehensive training is filled with actionable techniques that you can use immediately! Sign up today through my affiliate link to register.
However we are able to celebrate this year, we should always remember that our presence is more important than our present. 🙂
You may want to check out these posts!
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Hope for a happy, blessed holiday season!