T.J. Samson | Destination Health | December 2019

December 2019 3 6 ways to beat the holiday blues Many people love the holidays and can’t wait for them to get here. But not everyone eagerly awaits the merry season—in fact, plenty of people wish they could just ignore the holidays altogether. Do you feel that way? If so, you may have a good reason for your dampened spirits. For instance, you might be missing a loved one, going through a divorce or struggling to pay the bills, let alone buy gifts. WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU DON’T FEEL JOLLY If you’re less than excited about the holidays, these tips from Mental Health America and the National Alliance on Mental Illness may help: Scale back expectations. The pressure to be happy can make stress seem even worse. But you don’t have to attend the parties, deck the halls or send holiday cards. Stay connected. Don’t feel up to celebrating? You don’t have to. But you shouldn’t be alone if you would like some company. If you can’t be with family or close friends, try getting to- gether with coworkers or neighbors. Or volunteer at a homeless shelter that serves holiday meals. Set a budget, and stick to it. If you can’t afford to buy presents for everyone, consider making some gifts—perhaps a delicious dessert or a collection of soup ingredients in a jar. Strolling through your neighborhood looking at holiday lights is free entertainment. Don’t abandon healthy habits. Exercise can help lift your spirits. Try to get plenty of sleep too. And don’t drink alcohol to cope. If you feel like doing that, tell your doctor. Remember a loved one in your own way. Are you missing a loved one who is no longer with you? Honoring their memory may help. For example, you might carry on a tradition that your loved one started or make a charitable donation in that person’s name. Cut the quarrels. Are you dreading attending a holiday dinner or gathering because of family arguments? This year if a quarrel starts, give yourself permission to simply leave the room until everyone cools off. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Wellness What you should know about hip bursitis A hip that hurts can be caused by many things—including a condition called bur- sitis, which is different from osteoarthritis, a common cause of hip pain. Here are some basic facts about hip bursitis: Hip bursitis is an inflammation of one of the two major bursae of the hip—most often of the trochanteric bursa. (The greater trochanter is the bony point of the hip bone.) Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that act as cushions to keep tendons, ligaments and muscles gliding smoothly over bone. When bursae become swollen, the area around them becomes painful. Bursitis can occur because of repetitive overuse, a hip injury, spine problems like scoliosis, having one leg shorter than the other, rheumatoid arthritis, previous surgery or bone spurs. The main symptom of hip bursitis is pain at the point of the hip. The pain usually spreads to the outside of the thigh area. It may start out as sharp and intense, but it gradually becomes more of an ache. Hip bursitis pain is especially no- ticeable when getting out of a chair or bed. You also might feel it when sleep- ing on the affected side. The usual treatment for hip bursitis is to rest the hip as much as possible. You can also take nonsteroidal anti-in- flammatory medicines, like ibuprofen, and use an ice pack on the area to reduce swelling. An injection of a corticosteroid and local anesthetic can help give tem- porary—or even sometimes permanent— relief. And your doctor might refer you to physical therapy for exercises to increase hip strength and flexibility. Surgery is rarely needed for hip bursitis. But if none of the conventional treatment methods have worked, your doctor might recommend surgical re- moval of the bursa. It won't hurt the hip, which can operate normally without it. Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons