Only nine days left in 2017, so let’s all take in a deep breath … and let it out. Is it just me, or has it been a rough year? Either way, 2018 is on its way, but before we can decide if we will turn over a new leaf or try something new this year (or not), we must first survive — the holidays!

Thankfully, the first wave of the holiday season is behind us, but I feel as if the final push from now until Jan. 2 is the hardest part of the season. So, following are my top five spoonie tips for surviving the rest of the holiday season:

1. Say no, but think outside the box. Let’s just jump right in and rip off the Band-Aid. I know this is a hard one because you don’t want to feel like a bad friend or family member, and you don’t want to miss out. But the truth is you can’t be all things to all people and you can’t be everywhere at once. Some events, like your mom’s best friend’s Christmas party, may be tradition, and if that’s the case and it’s something you enjoy, by all means, go. But do you have to go to your job’s office party AND show up at three different friends’ parties all in the same week? No, and you shouldn’t. But you shouldn’t feel like you’re missing out either. So, maybe for two of your friends’ parties, instead of going, opt to have brunch or coffee together, bake cookies, or spend some other quality time them. Not everything you do this season has to be taxing.

2. Portable heat or cooling on the go. So, you decided to go out and you want to make the most of it. Besides taking some Advil before you leave the house, bundling up, and toughing out your pain, did you know you could take the heat or the cold that you need for your pain relief with you? Here are some other heating or cooling products that might be useful to you.

3. Embrace it, or get a mobility aid. Look, everyone could use a bit of extra help getting around in and dealing with the effects of the season on their body. If you have a mobility aid, rock it! If you think you need one, such as a cane or a walker, Amazon has you covered pretty inexpensively.

4. Netflix and chill. Seriously, it’s the one time of year when you have an excuse to binge watch all the things you’ve been meaning to.

5. Get creative. You don’t have to go out to have a great time. Put on a holiday movie and head to Pinterest to check out some fun holiday crafts. Get some fake snow at a craft store, put up a tree, hang some lights, or just put a snow globe by your bed. You can create your own traditions. You don’t have to do what everyone else is doing to have a blast, and you don’t have to feel like you’re missing out, either.

Have a great holiday, and I’ll see you in 2018.

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Note: Cerebral Palsy News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Cerebral Palsy News Today or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to cerebral palsy.