Santa: We Wish You A Healthy Holiday
He may be the jolliest guy of all, but his doctor probably isn’t feeling very merry.
Awash in cookies and candy canes, and participating in a less than adequate once-a-year exercise program, Santa’s potential health concerns are too many to count. If I were his doctor, I would suggest a few lifestyle changes as he prepares for his busiest night of the year.
He could start by roasting chestnuts over an open fire. A diet high in healthy fats (HDL) cholesterol, and low in bad cholesterol (LDL) is a good plan. Nuts are a great source of protein, fiber and HDL. Santa’s rosy complexion and large waist are clues that his cardiovascular system is at risk. I find that having a healthy food alternative on-hand helps my patients stay focused on their goals while avoiding unhealthy snacks. A nutritionist can provide more information about a healthy diet plan that fits Santa’s lifestyle. And if weight loss is what he is after, he I would suggest signing up for a weight loss seminar to learn more about his surgical and non-surgical weight loss options.
Whether he chooses to build a snowman in the meadow or prance in a field with his reindeer, exercise is a must. Santa can pick up a few last-minute toys while power-walking the mall. Or if he wants to stay incognito, there are plenty of simple, free at-home workouts available online. Not only will regular exercise improve his physical health, but it will also help him avoid the post-holiday blues.
Santa needs to take time for himself before the big night and throughout the year. A life full of stress and long hours can lead to sleepless nights. Spending some quality time with Mrs. Claus may be just what he needs. His elves will be more productive if they are allowed some time away from the workshop, too. If lifestyle changes don’t solve Santa’s sleep issues, I would advise a visit to a physician specializing in sleep medicine. His weight and sleep issues could be a sign of a dangerous condition called sleep apnea.
A yearly check-up with his physician can help him to stay ready for the season and up-to-date on his immunizations and blood tests. His weight, excessive thirst and habit of coming down the chimney and running straight to the bathroom indicate that he could be at risk for diabetes. This is definitely something he should discuss with his physician. And before he travels around the world, he should consider a flu shot, too.
It’s not all bad news this holiday season, though. Santa’s positive attitude and obvious love of his job is good for his mental health. A glass-half-full mentality has actually been proven to increase life span, reduce the risk of the common cold and improve one’s physical and psychological well-being. My experience is that optimistic patients are typically the most successful on their journeys to lifestyle change.
Why not toast to your health and happiness this holiday season? If Santa can do it, so can you. Commit to making a few small changes each month and they will add up quickly.
Adam J. Meyers, MD, FASMBS is a board-certified general surgeon specializing in bariatric and minimally invasive surgery. He earned his medical degree from The Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and completed his internship in general surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. His residencies in general surgery were completed at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Aurora, Colo. and the University of California Davis Healthcare System in Sacramento, Calif. Dr. Meyers completed his fellowship in bariatric and minimally invasive surgery at Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center in Sacramento, Calif.
Dr. Meyers is widely published and was awarded Outstanding Resident Teacher and Role Model by the UC Davis Department of Surgery. He is a member of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and American College of Surgeons.