SIMPLIFY TO SATISFY YOUR HOLIDAY PLEASURES

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Although the Thanksgiving dishes had not yet been stored, our local newspaper headline championed its “2022 Holiday Event Guide,” a detailed virtual catalog of the area’s “Parades, Christmas Concerts & More.” As I scanned the 14-page document, with its enticing photos and links, I considered which one(s) I might want to squeeze into my busy holiday schedule. Honestly, the decision felt more overwhelming than inviting. This seemed counterintuitive at first, but eventually I realized that if I indulged in fewer activities, I would enjoy the holidays more. In other words, simplifying holiday activities would actually bring more satisfaction.

As much as my realization was comforting, it certainly was not new. “The less we indulge our pleasures, the more we enjoy them,” wrote Juvenal in 100 A.D. This realization reminds us that approaching the holidays with as much simplicity as possible is highly valuable. Simplicity enables us to control our pace and maintain some or all of the well-being practices that have sustained us throughout the year.

The objective is simple, though it may not be easy to attain on our own. Therefore we hope the short, entertaining video below delivers inspiration and ideas for maintaining simplicity during the holidays. Adopting these small actions early on will yield larger benefits down the line. Not only will we enjoy the holidays more, we’ll also be more rested and able to begin the new year with higher levels of energy, health, and well-being. I invite you to try them and discover the benefits for yourself.

Joyce M. Young, MD, MPH
Managing Director, Advanced Wellness Systems
Lead Expert for The High Health Network

Wishing you an enjoyable holiday season.

Sincerely,
Your colleagues at Advanced Wellness Systems