Terre Pruitt's Blog

In the realm of health, wellness, fitness, and the like, or whatever inspires me.

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Posts Tagged ‘Holidays’

SAD, But For The Holidays

Posted by terrepruitt on January 2, 2025

Many of you may have heard of SAD, I posted about it in February of 2012. According to the Mayo Clinic’s website “Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons — seasonal affective disorder (SAD) begins and ends at about the same times every year. If you’re like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody.” If you have wintertime SAD the symptoms usually disappear in the spring.

I have a different kind of SAD, I love winter so it is not a depression of the CHANGING of the season, it is the ENDING of the HOLIDAY season. I get sad when it ends. I love all the decorations, I get sad when I have to take my Christmas decorations down and pack them away for another year. It is a bummer when we don’t have fun Christmas lights to light up the living space. I think that is one reason I like to keep “Christmas” up as long as possible. I miss the decorations and what goes along with them—the festive feelings. To me it seems like a collective vibe. People are anticipating parties and time off, and when it is over, it is as if the energy goes down.

I feel the same way when local sporting teams are in a championship game. I don’t care about sports at all, but when a local team is going to a game of all games the city seems alive with positive energy. And when they lose it is like a blanket over things.

So, I think I have a form of SAD . . . but for the Holidays. My SAD can be helped by keeping Christmas decorations up, but I still miss the collective energy.

What about you? How do you feel about taking things down?

Posted in Misc | Tagged: , , , , , , | 6 Comments »

A Little Relief For Long Hours Of Sitting

Posted by terrepruitt on December 6, 2017

Ah, the Holidays are upon us . . . we have even made it through one. I should have actually done this post BEFORE Thanksgiving, but I hadn’t actually thought of it as a blog post until last week when one my students thanked me, saying it really helped her during her travels recently. One time when she had traveled she said sitting in one position for so long really affected her hip adversely.  So I made a suggestion to her.  This is a suggestion to help with the long hours of sitting for travel whether it be in a car or on a plane (or even a bus or a train). The best thing to do, of course is to get up and walk a bit . . . stretching your entire body, but that is not always possible. Sometimes it is HOURS before you can get up. So one way to help fight off that soreness that overcomes the body is to shift your sitting position.

Sitting with your legs curled up under you or outstretched in front of you would be a way to shift the way you are sitting, but again, I am talking about sitting in a car or an airplane where the room might not allow for curling your legs under you or stretching them out in front of you. So an alternative is to just take something and stick it under one buttock. It could be a rolled towel, a jacket, a scarf, a pair of socks . . . something soft and comfortable, but that will give you a bit of lift. Granted having one hip hiked up higher than the other is not really optimum posture, but it sometimes is enough of a shift to prevent that sitting-in-the-same-spot-for-hours-soreness that comes on. After a little while, move the bundle. You can move it lower down your thigh, or under your leg at the edge of the seat, or to the other buttock . . . just move it. Then after a little while – you are deciding on the length of time you move it – move it to another place. You can move it randomly and just put it wherever you want or you can be methodical and move it from one cheek, down to the thigh, down to the lowest part of your thigh, then up to the next cheek . . . going in a pattern. Whatever works for you. Whatever allows your body to get a bit of a shift.

This can work if you are driving too, as long as you can safely still work the gas and brake pedals.

Again, this is not the best thing . . . .getting up and moving would be the best think, but sometimes that just isn’t possible . . . so this is the next best thing. It can help a lot. It relieves the muscles giving them a break from being in the same spot. Being it the same spot tires them out. Let the rolled up towel (or whatever) help let your muscles relax and prevent them from getting tired and sore.

What are your tips for preventing soreness associated with sitting for a long period of time?

Posted in Misc | Tagged: , , , , | 4 Comments »

Goodie Jar – Check In #42

Posted by terrepruitt on December 20, 2013

So here it is Friday again. Time goes so quickly it seems. Only ONE more check in! Wow!

So you might know I was hired on at the YMCA. It is somewhat the same as the City of San Jose was at first.  Right now I am teaching as a substitute without a regular class.  But with the YMCA I am actually subbing for Nia classes.  That is really nice.  The participants are there to do Nia.

Today I had one woman say as she was leaving that I made her smile for the first time all week.  -Oh.-  While that made me happy, Nia and I made her smile, I was also sad, it is FRIDAY and this was the first time she smiled.  I think something is going on in her life so I am so happy that I could allow her a moment of Joy.  I am grateful for Nia that I was able to do that.  So you KNOW, that is going in my goodie jar.

How about you?  What good things do you have going on?  I know there is a huge rush going on right now at this time of year.  The Holidays are almost here, but please take a moment to put something in your good things jar!

Posted in Good Things in the Goodie Jar | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

A Book Tree By Simon

Posted by terrepruitt on December 22, 2011

Nia teacher, Nia class, Nia San Jose, San Jose Nia, NiaI first want to say that Nia in San Jose is on it’s regular schedule even with the surrounding Holidays. Next, I want to say with so much holiday stuff around me it is more fun to post about decorations, cards sent, cards received, gifts given and received, Christmas Trees, ornaments, lights, and the cheer, than about how to exercise “off” those extra calories you might be consuming. It is better to avoid eating too much than to try to work it off. Many websites give you advice on how to avoid over indulging at parties, I posted one myself last year. They are articles of advice on how to keep motivated during the holidays everywhere you turn. As you know I like to post about other things. I love Christmas and all of its decorations and cheer that it brings. I love how people get creative with gifts and decorations. When I first saw this I wanted to post about it. But I often hesitate because I do also want to post about exercises and working out, but this kept popping into my head. I love it that much.

I have a friend I know through blogging. I believe I “met” him on another friend’s blog. I forget exactly how the timeline went but we started following eachother on Twitter and we are friends on Facebook. He is one of those people that seems to be everywhere. I don’t know how he does it, but he comments or “likes” my posts and my photos on several sites. He is one of those people that is very supportive. He is always there to support me in my internet dabblings.

He takes great pictures. I am always amazed at the shots he gets on his morning walks. But the latest photo that had me clapping with glee and I just can’t get out of my head is the photo of his book tree. I keep thinking, “Who would think of that?” Well, the answer is a man that works in a bookstore, but still, I love it. It is so cute and so imaginative. Really why can’t you decorate anything, right. I also kind of think of it as a bit of a joint effort. He, of course, came up with the biggest part, putting it together and stringing it with garland. I just make a tiny suggestion of using paper clips (or a strong wire) to hang the ornaments.

This is one of those things that just makes me happy. Do you have simple things in your life that make you happy and make you smile? This is one of them. Simon is often making me laugh and smile, but I really loved this one and wanted to share. I received permission to post his picture here.  You can see it here (click) on one of his blogs.

A note to Simon: Simon, my friend, you are a constant source of smiles and laughter to me. I appreciate how you are always so supportive with your “likes” and comments. I think you are a great photographer and look forward to the pictures of your morning walks and all your pictures. Thank you for this lovely book tree, it makes me giggle when I think about it.
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I hope you all enjoyed his little book tree.  I hope that no matter what holiday you celebrate at this time of year you are having a happy and peaceful time.  Thanks for being here!

Posted in Misc | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments »

Letting Go

Posted by terrepruitt on December 7, 2010

In my most recent Nia class, I decided that I wanted to help people focus on the good of the season.  I think that sometimes there is a lot of negative emotions around the Holiday season.  By negative emotions I mean the way people actually feel during this time of year.  There is always the ever present I-don’t-believe-in-Christ-so-I-don’t-agree-with-any-of-it, the it-makes-me-sad-so-therefore-I-am-going-to-be-sad, the WHAT?-ITS-CHRISTMAS!  The feelings of inadequacy; there is not enough money, goals for the year were not accomplished, baking isn’t getting done, cards aren’t being sent, house isn’t getting cleaned, nothing is enough, there is too much . . . . .oh my the pressure!  I was thinking all of this is negative stuff.  So in class the focus was pushing away the negative, somewhat rejecting it, with the intent of bringing in the positive.

Both the “negative” and the “positive” is different for everyone so that was a very individualized point.  We didn’t discuss anything that I mentioned above, so everyone could rid themselves of whatever they needed and attract whatever they wanted. It was very nice.  It is a focus and an intent that can be used any time, I just thought we’d give it a spin this season.

As with all focuses and intents we use in a Nia class they can be carried into one’s day and/or daily living.  This is where the thought of “letting go” keeps popping into my head.  I love this season.  I love cleaning my house, getting it all ready to put up the decorations.  Then I love spending days . . . at least two or three days decorating the tree and the house.  I always laugh because sometimes I can’t remember where I “normally” put something and it might end up in a new spot.  Then I spend the season either saying, “Yes, that’s good.” or  “No, that really doesn’t work.”

I sometimes feel very foolish for the sheer joy I feel when I look at a silly Christmas decoration that I cherish.  But I do.  I feel joy at the beauty and the sparkle of Christmas.  This year since I am a bit limited in my movements I am having to really draw on that joy.  I am going to have to strategically place things so that I can see “Christmas” everywhere yet not have as many decorations out and up.

Things tend to work in concert.  We ended up with a much, much smaller tree than usual.  Cool, since my hubby had to handle it without my help.  Since it is smaller it will require less ornaments which will allow me to stay off my foot.  Also a small tree requires less maintenance and the couches didn’t have to be moved.  See?  It is all gonna work out fine, I just need to let it go.  Reject the negative when I start to feel a pout coming on.  It’s ok that it is my favorite time of year and I can’t run around.  Oh well.  I can walk.  My toe/foot IS healing.  It is all good.  For heaven’s sake its Christmastime.  Let the negative go, embrace the season, embrace the unity.

Posted in Just stuff, Nia | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

Calories in Alcohol

Posted by terrepruitt on December 26, 2009

Tis the season I am sure you know that different alcoholic beverages have different nutiritional value. I am not going to post about the negative issues on alcohol, we all know that it is not the best thing that we can be including in our diet. There are choices that can be made when you know a few things. I just wanted to remind you of a few things. According to Fitday.com

White table wine (3.5 oz) has 85 calories, 2.7 carbs, and no fat

Reisling (3.5 oz) has 80 calories, 3.7 carbs, and no fat

Gewurztraminer (3.5 oz) has 81 calories, 2.6 carbs, and no fat

Red table wine (3.5 oz) has 87.5 calories, 2.7 carbs, and no fat

Merlot (3.5 oz) has 83.3 calories, 2.5 carbs, and no fat

Zinfandel (3.5 oz) has 88.3 calories, 2.8 carbs, and no fat

Burgundy (3.5 oz) has 86.3 calories, 3.7 carbs, and no fat

Eggnog made with whole milk (8 oz) 306.2 calories, 30.7 grams of carbs, and 17 grams of fat. This is not including the alcohol.

An ounce/shot of brandy has 64.2 calories, 0 carbs, and no fat

Online is telling me that 3.4 oz of champagne has 76 calories, 2 carbs, and no fat

I am not sure what type of champagne that is and I know that I typically drink sparkling wine not champagne. I am just sharing sharing some facts since this is the time of year where many people that don’t usually drink might have a drink or two. One way to assist yourself in avoiding alcohol altogether is to volunteer to be the designated driver. That is an additional incentive to not indulge.

Whatever you do, enjoy, but remember moderation is the key. And be responsible.

I don’t have a special “Holiday Drink” but I always hear about people have special drinks they indulge in over the Holiday season. I would love to hear about your special drink. Leave a comment sharing it with us all.

Happy Holidays!

Posted in Just stuff | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »