#510 – Book Review & Giveaway: Chronic Christmas

Chronic Christmas: Surviving the Holidays with a Chronic Illness by Lene Andersen is an advent calendar-style book that is brimming with common-sense and humour and is also infused with personal stories (and family recipes) that make for enchanting reading.

On each day leading up to Christmas, Lene covers a topic that can not only help those who live with chronic illness survive this season of merry-making, but also thrive. She takes each day further by suggesting how family and friends can assist someone with a chronic illness. If you struggle with what to do to help your friend, family member or neighbour, this section is for you.

Chronic Christmas is the little book that:

  • Gives you practical tips you can put to immediate use.
  • Can help you get through the holidays with a smile on your face.
  • Help you deepen your relationships.
  • Is for sharing and caring.

Here is an example from December 4th in the chapter entitled "Take a Walk":

"Find out which kind of limitations your friend, neighbor, or family member has because of their chronic illness and adapt your walking to that. This could mean walking a shorter distance and/ or doing it slowly. You may also need to adjust the time of day that you walk. You may also need to adjust the time of day that you walk. For instance, if your friend is sensitive to heat, bright sunlight, or humidity, walking in the evening after the sun goes down is less likely to make their chronic illness flare (an increase in symptoms). Have a conversation about what you both would like to do and the aspects of your lives that affect how and when you walk."

If the buddy system means you'll start moving, walking, swimming, dancing and more, then I'm all for it. At the very least, you want to maintain your strength, flexibility and endurance when you have a chronic illness. It's a bonus when you improve it.

Here is a suggestion from Lene that is music to the ears of someone who is going through a tough time, whether it be a chronic or acute illness or the death of a loved one:

"Your offer of help can do wonders. Not that elusive some day in the future that never really happens kind of help, but now. This month. Don't say, 'Can I help?' Instead say, 'I'm setting aside a day to help you before Christmas. When would you like me to come over, and what would you like me to do?' "

People in those situations are often overwhelmed. They may feel like it's too much to ask for all the help they need so they quietly struggle to do the things that need doing. A definitive offer of help can be like a breath of refreshing winter air.

Bear in mind that it's empowering to ask for help when you need it. Lene addresses this topic on December 20th. How? You'll just have to read this book to find out!

Enter the giveaway for a copy of Chronic Christmas:

  1. One person will receive a copy of Chronic Christmas: Surviving the Holidays with a Chronic Illness by Lene Andersen.
  2. Contest closes at midnight PST on Thursday, December 8th, 2016.
  3. To enter the giveaway, leave a comment.
  4. Earn another entry by subscribing to my mostly monthly newsletter. Let me know in the comments section if you’re already a subscriber and you’ll receive two entries!
  5. For extra entries to the giveaway, let's get social:
    1. On Twitter? Share the following: #Giveaway from @AuntieStress for the new book #ChronicChristmas by @TheSeatedView http://wp.me/p1OifR-2rV
    2. On Google+? Be sure to +MariannaPaulson when you share the link, and you’ll earn another entry.
  6. Make your way over to my Pinterest Board called “Giveaways”. Earn one entry by clicking “Comment” on the Chronic Christmas pin, then leave one. Earn another entry by re-pinning this giveaway announcement.
  7. If you decide to share on one of your other social media sites, be sure to paste in the link in the comment section, below.
  8. Good luck!

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