Did you know that more Americans die from cardiac episodes between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day than at any other time of year? This December, lighten up your life by embracing simple pleasures and keeping your immune system resilient so that you can tackle the holidays with ease.

As we enter this busiest of seasons, let us practice positive thinking, love, patience and light-heartedness. Instead of falling prey to pressure and worry in the coming weeks, make it your mission to start an epidemic of positivity and kindness!

Most people would say the holidays represent togetherness, but the truth is that few of us are impervious to stress during all the festivities – stress that includes meeting time constraints, becoming the "perfect" host, and catering the "perfect" holiday party, which tends to leave us tense and rigid. Women in particular experience more pressure and derive less happiness from the season.

Managing stress is unique to each individual, but there is one common denominator we all share — the power of the mind. It's more than a holistic health concept: hard science has determined that the placebo effect is so mighty that up to 75 percent of patients can feel results from an imitation pill in clinical trials for depression.

During this holiday, transform your way of thinking! Use the list below to help brighten your thoughts and behavior:

• Find creative ways to keep your blessings in mind – make a pact to trade affirmations and jokes by email or text message with a friend or post positive notes in prominent places.

• Leave the sad novels and movies till later: surround yourself with uplifting media and people – visit cuteoverload.com or 1000awesomethings.com.

• Convert social gatherings into stress-reducing physical activity by hosting friendly sports games, dance-offs or neighborhood cleanups.

• Go green! Researchers have found that families enjoy holidays much more when limiting environmentally unfriendly practices. Candlelight and charitable giving produce little waste and lots of inner warmth!

• Decide on at least three shining moments in your life when you were proud of yourself and enthusiastic about the future. Reflect on them when feeling tense. Remember the sights, sounds, and smells; breathe deeply and send all of the apprehensions into the atmosphere as you exhale.

You are the boss of you, so take pleasure in life and limit the power of stress — allowing you to savor the true meaning of the holidays: peace, love and abounding joy.


St. Luke's Hospital is a regional healthcare provider committed to improving the quality of life for patients and the community. It offers more than 60 specialty areas and was the only Missouri hospital named an America's 50 Best Hospital™ by HealthGrades® in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 based on quality.

"In the Sproutlight" is a sponsored opportunity. For more information on sponsorship, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 636-544-7233.

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