Tips for a healthy holiday season
Seasons greetings, Sonoma. It’s that magical time of year, once again. The food, the parties, the visitors, the traveling, and even the stress. The good, the bad, and, possibly, even the ugly….all in four weeks.
But what if we could avoid some of the bad and the ugly this season? What if we could make the most of what the season has to offer and experience the joy and magic without the all the stress? What if you could do more that just survive this holiday….what if you could actually thrive?
Each year I put out my list of holiday survival tips to help you make the most of your holiday season. This year I have decided to invite local health experts to chime in with their advice too, and here is what they had to say:
Patsy Wallace MS, BSN, Wellness Coach specializing in PreDiabetes and Weight Loss says, “My number one survival tip for the holidays is never skip a meal or you will be tempted to make mistakes. Eat breakfast with lots of protein soon after waking and eat at regular intervals (4-6 hours). This will help curb hunger that triggers snacking on holiday treats. Sweet treats in-between meals cause your blood sugar to swing wildly, taking your energy and mood with it. And that excess sugar intake ultimately is stored as fat. If you do reach for a treat, do it with your meal. The holidays are demanding, eating regular, balanced meals will keep you humming throughout the day and evening.”
Dr Shiroko Sokitch, an Integrative MD specializing in Chinese Medicine (hthmc.com) suggests that we learn to say “no” during the holidays. She reminds us that we can become easily overwhelmed with too many things to do, thus creating unwanted stress. She believes if you learn to say no, it reduces stress and allows you to be able to check out and relax so you can enjoy all the great things the season has to offer.
Amy Welker, Nutrition and Wellness Coach ([email protected]), shared that last year she committed to a sugar detox during the holidays, which made it really easy not to eat desserts or drink. She also suggests asking yourself this question before indulging: “Will eating this help me feel how I want to feel?” She adds that this will help you to a make a conscious choice about whatever you decide to indulge in and enjoy it to the fullest not matter what you decide.
Danielle Schwaderer, ND, owner of Sonoma Roots Natural Medicine and Herb Shop (sonomaroots.com) shared that “limiting stress is the best way to stay healthy during the holiday season. Planning ahead during the holidays will allow for proper stress management on many levels. Time management and prioritizing healthy meal prep, gift shopping, and holiday meals will allow the body to function appropriately in a low-stress environment. Stress in itself weakens the immune system and when accompanied by holiday treats and not so healthy dietary choices, it can leave one more susceptible to the bugs going around. When stress creeps in, recognize the warning signs and be sure to take deep breaths, get adequate sleep and nourish your body.”
And as for me (EA Morgan, CEC, NLC, Trainer and Coach, Owner of EA’s CrossFit, eascrossfit.com) suggests the following: “Don’t make the mistake of thinking you are too busy to exercise. Thirty minutes of high intensity “bursts” of simple, functional movements can help you keep the additional pounds from creeping up. You will also feel more energetic, sleep better, and look better in your clothes if you stick to this daily.”
Well, there you have it. Some simple advice to help you survive the holidays in a more healthful and relaxed way. And, as a reminder, the best present you can give your loved ones is to be present!
