Valentine’s Day and your health by Dr Holly on News for the Soul

Last Update: June 20, 2018 at 11:36 am

Valentine’s Day and your health

By Dr Holly

Heard Wednesdays at Noon Pacific Time on News for the Soul Radio

 

Interesting concept? Yes Valentine’s Day can have a real impact on your health! And not just from the good versus the crap chocolate! Emotionally!

Yes emotions can have a huge impact on our health. People often talk about the stress load and the impact it can have on our health – usually people are talking about the adrenals in particular when talking about stress. The adrenals are typically considered the stress organs, in a similar way to the liver being the detox organ. But just like every cell in the body and every organ in the body contributes to detoxification; so does every cell and every organ contribute to managing and recovering from stress.

Another aspect of stress that many people are in the process of learning, is that, good emotions can also be stressful. Anything that is out of the healthy norm, can be considered a stress. So being too happy or too excited for too long is also a stress to the body.

Another aspect of stress that many are unaware of, is we need some stress. It provokes the immune system; it provides good healthy workouts for many parts of the body. Think of exercise. To be constantly exercising is way to stressful and hard on the body. But it does need intermittent workouts – whether that just be good healthy walking or weight training or dancing or hiking or whatever you like to do.

So let’s go back to Valentine’s Day. What if you are the kind of person who bought into the concept that romance had to be about couple activity and you are alone – you might have a real reaction to Valentine’s Day that could be stressful.

What if you are the kind of person who is a romantic and your partner isn’t – that could be stressful.

What if you are the kind of person who wants everything to be perfect for a celebration – and your concept for Valentine’s Day wasn’t lived up to – that could be stressful.

What if you have enjoyed many Valentine’s Days but for some reason your partner isn’t with you (your partner is away – whether that be on business, or to take care of extended family or friends, or whatever; you broke up; the other crossed over; etc) then this Valentine’s Day may be stressful for you.

You may have had challenging Valentine Days previously, like a major conflict with your loved one; or a break up; etc.

There are many reasons, that Valentine’s Day may not be the Hallmark Holiday that you may want it to be. And that may cause sadness, grief, depression, loneliness, etc. all of which is considered stressful. Stress impacts your adrenals. Your adrenals are a huge component of your health.

So what is the solution? Chose to make this day – Your Day. Chose to celebrate you. Learn how to romance you. Romance isn’t confined to couple hood. For 15 years, I celebrated Valentine’s Day on my own – I made my favourite dish every year – Lobster Thermidor. I set the table in red with candles. Put on the fireplace and made it a special day for me.

With Tom, it was different. He had come to love romance and he set the candles and made Lobster Thermidor with me. He was awesome. And now I have to celebrate with him on the other side. We will still choose to make it a good romantic day.

So whether you are with someone or not…I challenge you…how are you going to celebrate you and life on Valentine’s Day? Chose to make it a good memory.

 

 

Find More from Dr Holly at DrHollyBooks.com