Health

By James H. Legge III, MSN, APRN-CNP, PMHNP, Certified Nurse Practitioner 
Psychiatric Center of Northwest Ohio 

The holiday months (mid-November to post-January) can be extremely difficult for loved ones suffering from mental illness. It’s postulated that family members and friends can reach intolerable levels of anxiety and depression during this time due to accentuated family dynamics, financial strain and other stressors.  

Veterans Day occurs at the beginning of this period and is a stark reminder of veteran suicide, in addition to the other mental health challenges that are experienced by this select group. While I was working on this topic with a local veterans’ services office, a book was brought to my attention called “Tribe,” authored by Sebastian Junger. This book stresses the importance of a strong interpersonal support network. One example discussed how Native American veterans, when reabsorbed back into their support network, experience significantly lower reported rates of mental illness-related problems. Instances such as this highlight the importance of support networks, demonstrating how we can help those suffering from the isolation of post-traumatic trauma. This thought process also helps better understand a true support network. (Continues)

By Julie Russell, RDN, LD, CDCES
Outpatient Dietitian/Diabetes Educator, Endocrinology & Diabetes Specialists of Northwest Ohio

It’s that time of year again and the holidays are quickly approaching. The holidays are a busy time, and it can be easy to get off track with your eating habits. Even though you get busy, don’t forget to take time to eat throughout the day. When you skip a meal, it can lead to overeating at the next meal. Try to plan out your meals for the day or, even better, the week. When you plan a meal, think of the food groups to ensure you get a balanced meal.

When attending holiday parties, be selective of your food choices. Take smaller portions by using a smaller plate. Remember, you can have leftovers at another meal, so don’t feel the need to overfill your plate. Pick your most favorite carbohydrate foods, try to keep portions to a quarter part of your plate, and fill in with non-starchy vegetables. If you are concerned that there are not going to be any healthy dishes, then bring one to share.