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.