Does it hurt to face the holidays when everybody is suppose to be merry and happily involved. No doubt about it - - plenty of us are hurting from chronic pain especially at the holidays. Both me and my husband have colds right now. I always seem to get sick close to November 12th my birthday. Chronic pain and depression lasts longer than you would expect from any original illness or injury.

Chronic pain is not "all in our heads." Having lots of company doesn't make it any easier to bear pain. We often get sick when there is too much to do and too much to be. Most of us don't want to let our families down. Chronic pain wears us down, causes us fatigue and insomnia. We miss out in isolating ourselves.  "Chronic pain is not a normal part of aging." Chronic pain does not go hand-in-hand with aging. Even young adults, teens and our children get the sniffles and don't wanna's during the holidays.

Unfortunately we who suffer from chronic pain are also prone to depression. I myself have suffered a decade with back problems. My depression worsens and I isolate myself. The American Pain Foundation estimates that one-quarter to more than half of those who complain of pain to their doctors are clinically depressed. My whole family suffers from chronic depression, vulnerable bladders and chronic pain. We're all work-a-holics so we dismiss our pain and over-do ourselves one day and stay in bed the next too sore to move.

Being in chronic pain makes it less tolerable to deal with daily activities, which can lead to us becoming listless and insufferable. I write from experience. That's the best way to write some say. There's a biological connection at work in all of us: Pain and emotional sensations share the same brain pathway. We who are all too emotional often suffer from pain and depression. Changes in our brain chemistry not only magnifies the severity of our pain, but also lead us to clinical depression. Medications and therapy can treat both chronic pain and depression but it can't cure it like keeping busy doing something we love, like Art Therapy. Sorry, had to plug my book!~ 

I don't want to scare anyone but  Christmas and New Year's Day can be "Ticker-trouble" season as well. Doctors have long known that cold weather is hard on the heart. Frigid temperatures increase strain on the heart, and too much physical exertion can worsen the burden and trigger a heart attack. Doctors have treated many patients whose heart attacks followed strenuous snow shoveling. When we get older our bodies won't let us do what our heads want done, so keep that in mind when you go out to shovel snow. During the holidays we tend to over-indulge ourselves which accounts for those living in warmer climates who have heart problems.  We eat too much. Drink too much. Party too much. Even shop too much. We think about others too much. Being a little selfish may save our lives.

It is also a good idea to avoid breathing smoke from wood-burning fireplaces as decorative and warming as they are. Ultra-fine -articles in the air can be bad for our hearts when we breathe in. If you ever feel chest pain or other symptoms, call 911 for emergency help immediately. Look out for those nasty surprises known as the "Merry Christmas coronary" or the "Happy Hanukkah heart attack." The stakes are high. The gift of good health keeps on giving so don't postpone needed treatment because you don't want to spoil the holiday for loved ones.

If you want to live, eat and be merry for other Christmases, It's all about being aware of who you are, and knowing your body, and accepting it's limitations. Be attuned to knowing your limitations. Forgiveness is a part of the equation. If you make a mistake, forgive yourself and try to do better.

Most important, don't forget "Christ" in Christmas. Like this wonderful Christmas song says, someday at Christmas there men will be free and there will be no wars. Someday at Christmas there will be no tears and no one will be hungry. Someday at Christmas we will get peace on earth. Blessings to you all, be safe!