1. Prioritize Your Treatment Plan
Whether you plan to travel or stick close to home this holiday season, making any change in your daily routine can throw off your treatment regimen. Unfortunately, medications are usually not as effective if you stop and start. So stick with your plan no matter how busy life gets in the coming months.
Don’t travel without your moisturizer and prescription topicals or injectables. Flares can set off a vicious cycle of scratching, which then triggers more plaques and more itchiness.
Think about refilling your prescriptions and stocking up on moisturizer before the holiday season really kicks in — it’ll be one less thing on your to-do list. And get your flu shot early, so you’re protected during the holidays.
A good relationship with your dermatologist can help you manage your psoriasis no matter what bumps this holiday season may bring. If you’re concerned about the effects that travel or cold weather might have on your psoriasis, check in with your dermatologist.
Your doctor may be able to tweak (or reinforce) your treatment plan or put you on a short-term medication that can help you get through a particularly stressful time.
“There are so many good treatments now,” says Dr. Stein. “There are treatments that can completely clear many patients. If you’re suffering from psoriasis, it always makes sense to see a dermatologist, because there’s so much we can offer to improve patients’ lives.”
2. Make Time for Self-Care
Self-care routines can help minimize stress. “Sometimes people don’t realize how profoundly stress affects psoriatic conditions,” says Elaine Rodino, PhD, a psychologist in State College, Pennsylvania.
Fortunately, there are many proven ways to keep stress in check. Some tricks to try:
Get Moving
Start or Keep Up a Meditation Practice
Make Sure You’re Getting Good Sleep
Reach Out for Support
Don’t let holiday commitments get in the way of your regular sources of support, such as support group meetings, conversations with friends who understand your situation, and therapy sessions.
Sometimes a busy calendar isn’t the issue, though. This season can be a lonely time for many people, compounding the fact that research finds that people with psoriasis are 1 ½ times more likely to have depressive symptoms than those without the condition.
“If you feel like anxiety or sadness are causing a lot of problems in your life, be sure to bring it up with your doctor,” says Stein.
3. Don’t Overload Your To-Do List
Fatigue is common in people with psoriasis. So, conserving your energy can be key, especially during the holiday season. Set reasonable boundaries about how much you can do — and what you feel comfortable doing.
“If there’s a particular holiday tradition causing you a lot of stress, talk to those involved about skipping it or making a change,” says Dr. Rodino.
Take a look at your calendar and assess what truly seems doable for you. This might involve limiting the number of events you agree to attend, or the amount of food you agree to cook. When it comes to gifting, it can help to set a budget and prioritize your purchases.
4. Watch What (and How Much) You’re Eating
It’s tempting to overindulge around holiday time, but putting on extra pounds can spell trouble for people with psoriasis.
When sitting down to a traditional Thanksgiving meal, for instance, avoid eating the skin on turkey, and go easy on the gravy, which can be a source of saturated fat. If you’re the one doing the cooking, think about making whole-grain stuffing using olive oil — a healthy fat — rather than using white bread and loads of butter. The butter and cream in mashed potatoes add saturated fat, which can be avoided if you opt instead for potatoes roasted with olive oil. And don’t skimp on vegetable sides.
As tempting as those holiday cookies and treats are at holiday parties, be careful not to overdo it. One approach that can help is to be mindful of what and how you’re eating. This means slowing down, paying attention, and really savoring what you’re consuming.
5. Be Mindful of Your Alcohol Intake
While enjoying a glass or two of wine might seem like a good way to relieve holiday-induced stress, this strategy can backfire. Drinking too much alcohol can trigger a psoriasis flare by making your medication less effective or not effective at all.
If you want to drink occasionally, limit yourself to one drink per day if you’re a woman and two a day if you’re a man.
Mocktails are fun and alcohol-free. Just be aware that they may contain added sugars and syrups. Instead, try sparkling water, and mix it with high-antioxidant fruit juice like pomegranate.
The Takeaway
- Sticking to your psoriasis treatment plan, even during the holiday rush, can help keep flares at bay. Consider refilling prescriptions and stocking up on moisturizer before festivities get underway. It’s also a good idea to stay in touch with your dermatologist about the impacts of changing routines or colder weather.
- Exercise, meditation, and consistent sleep schedules are practical self-care strategies to handle holiday-induced stress, which can worsen psoriasis symptoms. Making time for these activities can help maintain both mental and physical health.
- It’s crucial to watch what you eat and drink. Eating an anti-inflammatory diet can help minimize inflammation, whereas drinking too much alcohol can make medications less effective.
- Fatigue and stress management are key, given that overloading your holiday schedule can impact psoriasis and overall well-being. So, try to set boundaries and prioritize activities that can conserve energy and enjoyment during this busy season.
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