How to support your health during Christmas and New Year
Its 5 weeks until Christmas.
Whats you plan for supporting your health through this time?
Are you thinking its a write off already that will be full of indulgence that is out of your control but you will start a diet in the new year?
Its such a common and easy pattern to fall into but it often leads to feelings of helplessness and constant dieting mentality.
How about reframing that thought?
How about thinking of what you can do and how you will look after yourself over this time.
We are out of our normal routines but every time we eat and drink its an opportunity to nourish ourselves and an opportunity to choose health.
Remember this. Just because its a time of celebration it doesnt have to mean a sacrifice to your health or that your health journey is on hold.
Its a time when we should be taking more care, more planning and looking for ways to nurture what is so precious so we feel our best most days.
Listen to your body and what is it communicating to you.
You get to choose every time and your body will thank you.
Here are 5 tips to get you through
- Eat whole, real, unprocessed foods most days
save the festive treats such as shortbread, mince pies and pastries for Christmas day. enjoy them mindfully on that day rather than letting them become something daily for 2 weeks leading up to Christmas day
if you are taking a platter to a celebration make sure to include fresh berries, cherries and vegetables on the platter or real dark chocolate rather than just slabs of cheese, dips and crackers
- Have a plan
What social activities are coming up? When will I enjoy an alcoholic drink and when will I reach for the water? Without a plan, it’s all too easy to end up indulging in more alcohol and food than we meant to. Knowing you have a few functions on in one week, you can pace yourself. Be sure to include plenty of vegetables with lunch, particularly if you know you’ll be eating out in the evening and you suspect the vegetables will be light on. Eat before you head out so your body is nourished and not starving so you dont overeat the snack food
- Embrace at least 4 alcohol free days per week
Your liver cannot function at its best if you are drinking alcohol every day. This leaves your feeling fatigued, bloated, gut issues, compromised skin and hormone imbalances. support your liver at this time and plan which days you will not drink.
- Practice gratitude daily
Practiing gratitude can help you eat better. The benefits of practicing gratitude are nearly endless. People who regularly practice gratitude by taking time to notice and reflect upon the things they’re thankful for experience more positive emotions, feel more alive, sleep better, express more compassion and kindness, and even have stronger immune systems. Gratitude is such a powerful emotion, one that can make your life better in so many ways. Overall, there was a greater sense of feeling connected to others, a,more optimistic view towards life and better sleep quality, relative to a control group.
- Do things for your body that reduce stress
Self-care isn’t selfish. This Season give yourself permission to look after yourself and prioritize your health. The irony is that when you’re feeling at your best, you have more energy and headspace to give to others. Limiting stress is absolutely possible during the holidays. This will help you to wake up feeling more refreshed every day.
Take care of yourself every day so you dont feel run down. If you are used to exercising, keep your body moving even if its a walk. Take time for yourself. Self-care is about choosing to do the things that fill you up, the things that feel energised.
