Hi there! It’s the Mast Cell 360 Practitioner Team, checking in with you for the holidays.
We understand that this festive season can come with some challenges when you have MCAS. We’ve been there ourselves.
And those challenges may look different for everyone in our community. Some are navigating social gatherings, while others are so unwell that participating in festivities is only possible in small ways. We have tips for both.
If you’re still quite sensitive...
Every environment or gathering can be full of questions.
Every meal may need extra planning.
Traveling (if you can) needs careful preparation.
And stress can pile on symptoms, even when you’re robust.
Meanwhile, everyone around you is busy celebrating and indulging.
Understandably, that might leave you feeling overwhelmed as you try to navigate it all, grappling with grief, or resigned to just “going along” but knowing you will end up feeling worse.
And we get an influx of people in flare mode every year after the holidays.
So, we’ve compiled some tips to help you navigate this holiday season with less stress and fewer flares!
Today’s email is going to help you:
Identify common holiday triggers, and find some things that help
Consider your options for gatherings, with 3 ways to still celebrate
Handy tips for talking to family and friends about your needs and holding your boundaries with kindness
Feel less alone if the holiday season feels complicated (or exhausting)
Let’s start with what might be causing those flares in the first place.
There’s no such thing as a “perfect” way to navigate all the changes during the holidays. And sometimes it’s a combination of things that tip the bucket.
Being aware of your triggers allows you to celebrate in ways that bring more joy and less discomfort.
So, if you find yourself flaring every year, here are a few common culprits to consider:
Holiday Foods– Many dishes are higher in histamines, oxalates, or other things our community often struggles with. Even aromas can bring on symptoms sometimes.What helps: Cook at home, pass out recipes others can make to share with you, eat beforehand, or bring a safe dish you love to share at gatherings.
