Dear Readers,
Christmas is just a few days away, and an amazing year of great challenges, pleasant surprises, and endeavors is coming to a close. From working on your Drugs & Diseases courses to simply having the privilege of being part of the profession at the White Coat Ceremony, the students have endured much and achieved much more than anyone’s expectations. Of course, we cannot forget to mention our faculty members, professors, teaching fellows, and administrative staff who toiled (without ceasing) to provided us unforgettable learning experiences this past year.
So on behalf of the entire Rho Chi Post editorial staff, I have the pleasure, nay the privilege, to wish our readers – the Faculty Members, Professors, Guest Authors, Pharmacists, University Staff, and last but not least, the Student Body – a Merry Christmas, a beautiful festival of rededication (Hănukkāh), a plentiful celebration of the harvest with Kwanzaa, and a blessed New Year.
I wish to offer some tips that will make the holidays full of merriment and ensure a healthy celebration. The holidays, especially Christmas, are filled with gifts; so, early preparation is important if you want to avoid last-minute stress during the holiday rush. Children should be given age-appropriate toys as gifts and these should only be from appropriate vendors (to avoid lead contamination or other hazardous conditions). It is very important that everyone in the home gets plenty of rest in between the festivities to avoid sickness.
The birth of Jesus Christ is a reason to be merry, but that does not mean excessive consumption of alcohol. Please watch your alcohol intake, and have a designated (sober) driver, even it is just a “few drinks.” At parties, eat healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables, and avoid eating the junk foods loaded with sodium and fat. Remember to stay hydrated with plenty of water, and keep in mind that nothing beats a cup of hot chocolate during a frosty day!
It is also important to slow down a little when everyone else around you seems to be in a rush to get elsewhere. How about a walk in the park with a friend -or- fox-trot across the room with your partner? These small things help you get 30 minutes of exercise needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Stubbing out your cigarettes, and eating foods with plenty of omega-3 fatty acids (e.g. fish) is another great idea.
For some, the holidays may not be filled with merriment. The key thing to remember is that it does not matter how expensive or how big your gift is; it is the meaning behind that gift – the fact that you considered the other person when you bought it. So do not overcharge your credit cards or be burdened with the season; instead, being simple can have its rewards, as well. GriefShare (grief recovery support groups) programs held in many community centers and churches are a good way to deal with the loss of a loved one. Perhaps you can visit their graves, lay some flowers, or play a favorite musical melody of your loved one to remember their love and joy during this season.
And finally, be yourself! The purpose of the season is not to pretend to be someone you are not or be anxious around other people. So, rejoice, relax, and be thankful for this year. Be thankful for the good and the bad, and look forward to a new year filled with new adventures, joy, and peace.
Once again, we wish you happy holidays. May your Christmas be jolly, your Hănukkāh full of light, and your Kwanzaa bountiful. May the New Year be a year of more blessings in your life and a year of more achievements and milestones reached. We look forward to seeing all of you next year, hearing your feedback, and publishing your article submissions.
On behalf of the Editorial Team and Sincerely,
Ebey P. Soman