Jose Mari Chan is at it again!

It’s that time of the year.

Things are slowly getting back to normal, and gatherings amongst friends and family, many of whom we haven’t seen in the past two years, are rapidly being penciled in.

If you’re hosting any of these events, or if you’re attending a party or three, the coming weeks are expected to bring a lot of stress. Because in addition to a full-time job, you’ve got Christmas traffic, organizing, gift buying, and budgeting to contend with.

So Bloodworks Lab, your health and well-being partner, brings you these 8 potent tips to make the hazy days of December more survivable to all would-be revelers.

1) Make this year’s theme: Simple is Meaningful

Whether you’re putting up Christmas decorations, buying gifts, or crafting a menu, think “Simple.” Too much energy is spent on flashy details that, in the end, nobody notices. Instead, focus on the important stuff, the vital stuff—friends and family having a wonderful time.

Don’t overdo and overcomplicate things. It’s not just friendlier on your budget, it’s also better for your mental health. A simple menu is just as good, an inexpensive gift is just as meaningful and an understated celebration can be just as fun.

A simplicity mindset will rid you a ton of needless worries—leaving you a ton lighter. And who knows, you might just have the energy to enjoy the season.

2) Crisp and Clear Communication

December is a month when we, in addition to our regular jobs, engage in activities that come but once a year, so we don’t have the usual routines and systems to depend on. Communication then becomes very important.

It’s not often talked about, but a lot of stress comes from not being on the same page—whether it’s the caterer who thought “6 PM” when you wanted it “4 PM,” or the family friend who came a day too early.

So when you find yourself organizing things like a house or office party, make sure the lines of communication are crystal clear. Make sure everybody is on the same page and knows the “what,” “when” and “where” of things. And also, make sure people know what is expected of them. Your investment in clear communication will pay off big time.   

3) Allow for delays...even cancellations.

You owe it to your sanity to expect delays. December is a month of bottlenecks.

From delayed flights to lost Food Panda and Shoppee deliveries, these things cause much stress and anguish. (If you’re a vigilant shopper, you would have finished your online shopping by now and your orders are well on their way to you.)

Imagine the things and the people stuck in that 3-hour traffic: the lechon delivery, a family on their way to the airport, people coming to your party.

Make mental allowances for hiccups and snafus. In short, manage your expectations so you don’t get frustrated over how slow things are during this month. There’s not much you can do about it anyway.

Yes, have printed and laminated battle plans, but don’t expect things to go perfectly. Be flexible and go with the flow.

4) Eat! (But don’t overeat.)

Filipino celebrations are really just excuses to cartloads of food to the table. Christmas and New Year’s are no exception.

A recurrent problem among weight watchers is that December affairs hit their waistlines hard. But starving yourself or taking an adversarial stance on food is not good. Instead here are some ways to mitigate the effects of extra calories without robbing you of the joys of the season:

Have a snack before you go—Think starving yourself before a party will help offset the calorie bombs you have at the thing? Well, you’re only making it harder to control those cravings. The most likely scenario is that you end up eating a lot more than you would. (“I earned this!” Sound familiar?) So don’t starve yourself before going.  

Pick and choose...and choose healthy—Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to taste everything. And out of the smorgasbord offered to you, get to the veggies and salads first.

Portion control—Well if you really want to have a go at everything, at least keep the servings small. The goal is to have a great meal...not a big one.  

Eat slowly—This is probably the most important tip in this section. Eating at a more leisurely pace allows you to experience and enjoy the food better. It nudges you to truly savor the dish. So get those extra chews in.

Also, remember that when it comes to eating, our brains experience a satiety lag. Our tummies may be full, but that memo does not reach the brain ‘til a few minutes later. Eating slowly lets the brain catch up and prevents one from overeating.   

Skip the sweat treats—If at all possible. Have a glass of water instead.

Observing these practices minimizes the guilt one feels after a big meal. The resulting stress, ironically, is one of the reasons people eat more. (Hello, vicious cycle!)

5) Move. And move some more!

January 2022 will be filled with remorseful people who wished they didn’t have a second helping of this and that. But let’s leave those January folks to gym owners.

You don’t have to wait for next year to get in shape. Get those crunches in early and consistently. Studies have shown that exercise relieves stress, boosts the immune system, helps you relax, elevates your mood, gives you a burst of energy, and reduces the risk of chronic diseases.

Not having the time to get in those squats is not a problem. There’s High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) that in as little as 4 minutes and has been proven to be effective in keeping one fit.  

And it’s not just “exercise” per se. Physical activity or movement can get you all the benefits. Working around the house, cleaning, gardening, running after nephews and nieces all constitute good exercise. 

6) Unplug, switch off and disconnect.

The busier this month gets—whether it’s end-of-the-year deadlines, or organizing the party everybody else volunteered you for—the more you need to unplug.

The hurries and anxieties that often come at the end of the year do a number on your health, and so you need to purposely carve out the time to cool down and unwind.

This may mean different things to different people. Meditation would be a way for some to get centered. Others would need a good book or rom-com to escape. It could be a warm bath, a massage, a quiet time in the garden, or a hobby like carpentry. Whatever the activity, you need to give yourself the time and space to engage and indulge.

Step away from everything and go to your “happy place.”

7) Smell the Chill

Studies have shown that a pleasant smell can deliver one from the throes of distress. It can actually affect your biology and brain waves and therefore behavior.

A mint stick you carry around in your pocket or a scented-candle bubble bath can be a great stress reliever. The smell of lavender, lemon, rosemary, and jasmine can help you unwind, even sleep.

Use the power of your nose to calm your body.  

8) If all else fails...Videoke!

Nothing like the Pinoy penchant for singing. It only takes a P5 coin to make the whole family, (and most of the neighbors), singing to the same ballad.   

Never mind that music tames the beast and quiets a worried soul. A single rendition of “My Way” can change your mood, lift your spirits—even save you from depression. There’s just something about singing and moving to “Dancing Queen” with friends and family that melts the stress away.  

So grab a mic and belt your heart out. And who knows, you just might get a perfect score!

Bloodworks Lab would like to greet everyone a Merry Christmas and a Stress-free New Year!

Enjoy the holiday season with your friends and family!

As always, we are your one-stop shop for all your blood test needs, offering a wide range of screening tests as well as immunological assessments. We are the first laboratory in the Philippines to offer the Anti Acetylcholine Receptor (lgG) Antibody Test and the Anti N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor (Anti NMDA Receptor) Antibody Test.

Come give us a visit. Our branches are in Alabang, Katipunan, and Cebu.