There's no denying it, the winter holiday season is fast-paced, chaotic and very frantic. The shopping alone, even the weekly task of buying groceries is a daunting challenge. Then add in the extra food supplies needed to prepare all those holiday goodies and it becomes a major undertaking.
Next is the bustle and hustle of shopping for everyone's gift. Braving the crowds, finding a parking space, navigating through the traffic and then the endless walking through the malls, shopping centers or even one store require patience, tolerance and quite a bit of extraordinary breathing techniques. Don't forget the actual selection of your purchase and the long lines waiting to pay for your gifts. The very survival of these ordeals warrants a medal and notable recognition.
Then comes the never-ending rounds of office socials, the holiday gatherings of neighbors and organizations, friends and of course family obligations. At times, it seems as though every waking moment is consumed with the holiday celebration; and, the holidays haven't even arrived here yet!
The accompanying chores of cooking, baking and gift wrapping, fortunately, can usually be done while in the relative peace and safety of our homes but are time-consuming and also have a time-line of their own.
The stress level peaks. When the pressure becomes too great, someone, somewhere, always manages to find one more task that needs to be done. It seems like there is no relief for the weary and over-burdened.
That is why it is so important for us to pace ourselves and make sure that we have enough time for not only ourselves but also our spouse, partner or significant other. We're only human, after all, and we all need time to relax and unwind and release the stress. We need to take the time and make sure that we are getting enough sleep.
With so many responsibilities and only a limited amount of time, many of us compensate by reducing the amount of time allocated to sleeping. In the back of our minds, we justify this by deluding ourselves that we'll somehow "catch-up" on our sleep after the holidays are over.
However, we all know that we can never balance sleep-deprivation. It isn't possible. And most importantly, it isn't healthy.
With all the additional errands that we're rushing around trying to complete, we're travelling, even locally, more than normal. And distracted driving (yes, lack of sleep is a distraction) is hazardous not only for ourselves but also every other driver on the roads we traverse.
The lack of sleep impairs our judgment and causes us to take risks we would otherwise not take. When operating a motor vehicle, this alone can be a fatal or, at best, harmful to not only ourselves but others as well.
It also creates inattentiveness, affects our ability to focus and increases our susceptibility to stress. We're less able to make make rational decisions and to resolve conflicts. We become short-tempered and argumentative.
Not attributes that any of us need during the winter holidays.
Do everyone, especially yourself, a favor. Get plenty of sleep!
Peace! Get naked. Enjoy!
Bare With Pride
