Why wait until January 1st to get your healthy on? You can enjoy the holiday season and make some small changes to your habits that will help you be healthier. We know the holiday season is busy, full of stress, yummy treats and lots of celebrating! No need to ditch the treats or traditional foods, just try to balance them out with healthier choices. Everything in moderation is a huge part of our approach here at Acupuncture Atlanta and the foundation of traditional Chinese medicine is all about balance. So here are a few ways to enjoy a healthier holiday:
1 Hydrate
You make think that you need less water when the summer sun is gone, but actually the winter months can dry your body out. Indoor heating and a lack of humidity in the air can dry you out quickly especially after exercise. Increased alcohol consumption during the holidays can also dehydrate you. Aim to drink water or eat hydrating foods throughout the day:
- Water with lemon or lime can help to detox your body after a night of alcohol and rich holiday foods
- Coconut water is not only a delicious alternative to water, but is the most hydrating juice there is
- Hydrating fruits and vegetables include cantaloupes, watermelon, oranges, cucumbers, celery and lettuce.
2 Swap it
There is no need to avoid your favorite holiday foods, but there are ways you can swap out some of the ingredients for healthier ones:
- Smash your potatoes instead of mashing them. Many mashed potato recipes call for lots of creams, milk, and butter. Instead, smash them or whip them and add some spices, garlic, and herbs for flavor.
- Enjoy the pumpkin or sweet potato pie without the dairy. Pumpkin and sweet potato are nutritionally dense, but often when you add all of the sugar and dairy to the mix, it becomes a high calorie, less than a healthy treat. You will still have the pumpkin spice taste if you add non-dairy milk like coconut or almond milk. In addition, flavor it with a little bit of maple syrup instead of sugar or corn syrup.
- Look at your traditional recipes and see if you can reduce the fat and sugar in them with simple swaps.
3 Stay active
It may be hard to get to the gym or keep to your usual fitness routine when the holidays come around. Make a small effort and reap huge benefits by incorporating fitness into your holiday celebrations:
- Take the stairs whenever you can
- Mingle at the party and get your steps in
- Go outside with your kids in the snow!
4 Backup your meals
More ways to help include:
- Taking a multivitamin – you may not be getting all your nutrients and feeling depleted can certainty lower your energy levels.
- Keeping healthier mid-afternoon snacks when at work – a bag of carrot sticks or some nuts – this way you aren’t eating out of the busyness and then celebrating at the office party later on.
- Eating a protein-packed and heavier breakfast – this way you will be fuller throughout the day and only have one of the donuts in the break room – smoothies or overnight oats are perfect for this!
5 Bye-bye stress
The holidays can be the most wonderful and stressful time of the year! Your health can be impacted by constant stress, here are a few ways to keep your stress level down:
- B vitamins – a B complex can be a great way to combat stress or even avoid it all together. B vitamins can help reduce stress by balancing neurotransmitters and brain chemistry.
- Don’t over-commit. You may want to go to every party and visit every relative, but often this can be extremely stressful and zap the joy out of your holiday. Re-evaluate your commitments and try to choose those that will bring you joy and keep the stress levels down.
- Do the things you love. Traditions are wonderful, but sometimes they can be a lot of work and you aren’t very happy after you do them. Tweak them, omit them for this year, or just make a new tradition that better suits your family.
6 Pinch some pennies
Overspending can be common at this time of the year, however, it can also cause stress and can leave you feeling depressed over the debt you end up with when the holidays are over. It is wonderful to be giving, but don’t give away your emotional well-being along with the presents. Try to plan ahead and decide how you can give while keeping within your budget.
Budget tight this year? Try making something or being creative. Now don't go down the rabbit hole of Pinterest scrambling to make a gift - this may overwhelm you more - no offense Pinterest, we still love you! Something as simple as mixing up the dry ingredients of your favorite homemade cake - putting it in a jar with a recipe card and instructions on what wet ingredients to add such as eggs or oil. Decorate with a ribbon and your done.
7 Say no to perfection
“If I waited for perfection, I would never write a word.” - Margaret Atwood
Ditto for the holidays. If you are so busy worrying about being perfect, you won’t be able to be present for the celebrations. Practice some mindfulness during the holiday and shed the need for perfection.
8 De-clutter your space
Clear the spaces you use most often from clutter. This can help you be more productive, feel more in control, make things less chaotic and calmer all round. It doesn’t hurt to bring in the new year with a clean desk or nightstand!
Have you heard of Marie Kondo and her system, the Konmari Method? Seems like everyone wants to "spark joy" in their lives lately. A few years back Marie wrote a book called, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing and even has a show on Netflix now called "Tidying Up".
Her method is compartmentalized into five "lessons" that tell you which objects in your life you should declutter and her theories behind how to let go by only keeping the things that "spark joy" in your life. Many people have not only experienced a healthier physical environment but also benefited from their purge emotionally and mentally.
9 Don’t forget to sleep
Sleep is important. Circadian rhythms can be disrupted during the holidays. Late nights, early mornings and jet lag can all contribute to getting less sleep. Try to get at least 7-8 hours per night and, if you are having trouble falling asleep or regulating your sleep-wake-cycle, you can try taking melatonin or using lavender essential oil to help you drift off.
10 Take care of yourself
The holidays may be a time for giving, but you cannot give if you feel depleted. Take time for yourself to unwind. Drink a glass of wine, dance in the kitchen or curl up on the couch to watch your favorite holiday movie.
Have a hard time remembering what will relax you when you are overwhelmed during the holidays? Write a quick self-care bucket list and keep it where you can see it. This way when you find a 15-minute pocket, you can do one of them and lift your spirits and relax.
Don't forget what made you happy when you were younger. The holidays are about the whole family, not just the kids. What makes the holidays extra special for you? What traditions or memories give your holidays meaning? Let your younger self take care of your older self!
