Come in now for an NAD booster!

The holidays are meant to be a festive time of year when we gather with friends, exchange gifts, and celebrate our spiritual traditions. For many people, however, the “enforced” gaiety of the holidays can trigger anxiety—or even depression—rather than joyous celebration. The pressure to do too much, eat too much, drink too much, and spend too much; the fear of disappointing loved ones, the grief that some of our loved ones are no longer with us, or just the sense of being out of sync with the rest of humanity, can combine to overwhelm all of our healthy practices—including our serenity and sobriety.

There’s no need to suffer this holiday season. If you know that the holidays can trigger you, take preventive action: stock up on your supply of BR+NAD nasal spray, dermal cream, or skin patch, or better yet, come in for an IV booster. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure.

Here are some other tips for good self-care for the holidays:

1. Prioritize. What are the one-three holiday events or traditions that are the most meaningful to you? A tree? The first night of Hanukkah? Christmas morning with the kids? Christmas dinner with the extended family? Let participating in those few traditions or events signify holiday “success.” If you’re able to comfortably accommodate more, fine; if not, let the other expectations go.
2. Make holiday preparations a group activity, rather than a command performance by you alone. Have the kids help you bake the cookies and peel the potatoes, invite your friends to make the pies and wrap the presents with you, choose and trim the tree as a family.
3. Limit spending. Consider making an agreement among family members to limit the number of gifts you’ll exchange, or how much you’ll spend per gift, or to homemade or recycled gifts, or to a White Elephant/Secret Santa gift exchange, which only requires a single gift from each person.
4. Limit alcohol. Alcohol is a depressant and can amplify negative emotions, and of course it is our nation’s #1 “gateway” drug. Instead, try—and serve—some of the increasingly appealing “mocktails,” adult-type beverages without the alcohol.
5. Get enough exercise and sleep. In addition to being a great stress-reducer, exercise is a great is also a great way to get the sleep you need at night. You might also need to cut back on caffeine, if you’re using it to get through your “to-do list” and instead rely on NAD+ to boost your energy levels. (NAD also helps regulate sleep cycles.)
6. Don’t neglect your spiritual practice. The busier we get, the more we need it. A wise teacher famously said, “Meditate for 20 minutes a day, unless you’re too busy. Then you should sit for an hour.”
7. Schedule a quiet moment with memories of loved ones. If you’re missing someone dear to you, light a candle in front of their photograph and tell them how much you miss them. Consider setting a place for them at your holiday dinner table and explain to your other guests why it is there. Share stories of how much they meant to you. Include your loved ones in your holiday, even if they are not physically present.
8. Make your presence the present. After all, the point of the holiday season is the sharing of love and goodwill—not the sharing of expensive gifts or calorie-laden meals. That means caring for yourself so that you can share your best self with those who matter to you. And if you need an NAD booster (and truly, who doesn’t?), give us a call now!