It's Halloween and you know what is about to happen, Halloween candy and other sugary treats you otherwise should avoid, young kids scavenging the streets for candy, costume themed parties, and other stresses associated with the holiday. Whether Chronic Kidney Disease or Dialysis patients take part in the Halloween festivities, it is still highly likely that they are impacted. Use the following tips/"tricks" to reduce stress, improve enjoyment, and maintain gains in health outcomes during Halloween.
1. Driving: Just because it is Halloween it does not mean that Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients can put their lives on hold. Dialysis treatment, errands, and other responsibilities may cause patients to get behind the wheel of their cars. Remember that kids will be crossing streets and may not always take the safest precautions. Drive slowly all evening. You never know what little “creature” may suddenly cross your path. Remember, it can be very challenging to see people, especially at dusk.
2. Sleeping: Most trick-or-treating is conducted between the hours of 5:00PM to 8:00PM. However, in some neighborhoods teens and adults have gatherings much later into the night. So what can you do to prevent fatigue and exhaustion the next day? Well, try to get a few hours extra rest the night before in case you cannot get your regular sleep during the busy holiday. If you do not want to be bothered with trick-or-treaters, place a "DO NOT DISTURB" sign on your door.
3. De-stress and Decompress: Try a few breathing exercises which may help Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients relax and decompress. Breathing exercises may also be useful during a busy and noisy Halloween evening to help Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients drift off to sleep. Dr. Andrew Weil (Harvard trained medical doctor with a focus on holistic health) believes that getting the best sleep is as simple as breathing in and breathing out. Click here to view breathing exercises recommended by Harvard Researchers.
4. Crush the candy: If you would like to indulge in a few pieces of candy during Halloween, don't settle for whatever is on the table. If you are going to satisfy your sweet cravings, go for safe treats that will "hit the spot."Be aware of high potassium and high phosphorus ingredients like chocolate and nuts and avoid candies made with these ingredients. Also, as a rule of thumb Take a 10- to 15-minute walk for each piece of candy you eat, and Diabetics should have low sugar options while checking their blood sugar more often than usual.
Recommended Reading: Candy Can Reduce the Pain Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Suffer During Dialysis Treatments
Note, Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients' health never takes a holiday. Hence, do not overindulge. How do you limit your consumption of sweet treats during the holidays and maintain health outcomes without feeling left out? Share your response at the KidneyBuzz.com Facebook Fan Page which has over 30,600 Likes. Also, visit KidneyBuzz.com which has become the #1 resource that teaches over 115,000 monthly visitors with Chronic Kidney Disease, Dialysis, Diabetes, and/or High Blood Pressure how to better manage and improve their lives