Holding the reins of your holiday spirits
By Susan Ward
It's the most wonderful time of the year, so the song goes. Emotions are running high. Many people have memories of the holiday season, some from childhood, some from more recent times. Students can hardly wait to see family and friends after living away from home for the first time. It is true: the holidays can bring out the very best in us.
But it can also bring out the worst. Expectations are running high, which can lead to disappointments and disillusion. Christmas can be a special time when people may go to a lot of trouble to find the perfect gifts, or students might be looking forward to going home, only to find things different. Some see s alcohol as a solution which ends up making the disappointment worse.
Alcohol can also be a part of the celebration. Food and alcohol are used by many cultures as part of holidays and special events. But again, overuse can change a great holiday into a nightmare that can taint the holidays for years to come. Rates of accidents increase. Judgement is impaired. Unwanted pregnancy and the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases increases.
There are a few guidelines that can help in regulating the use of alcohol if a person chooses to drink. First, eat before drinking. It will slow the absorption of alcohol into the blood. Second, alternate alcoholic beverages with nonalcoholic beverages, and limit alcoholic drinks to three on any one occasion. Also, decide in advance how much you plan to drink, and stick to it! In order to do this, you might want to plan what you are going to say to an aggressive host who keeps offering drinks. Statements like "Not this round!" or "No more for me, thanks!" might help.
Plan a ride home from someone who is not drinking. Some people make arrangements to spend the whole night where they are ringing in the New Year.
Remember also that alcohol is high in calories. Read the label: the higher the proof, the higher the calories. Whenever you can, mix your own drinks, using less alcohol and noncaloric beverages such as water, fruit-flavored sparkling water, diet soda or club soda.
Lastly, remember that you don't have to drink just because it's the holidays. You can have a lot of fun enjoying friends, family or just reaching out to others spreading holiday cheer.