HOW TO STAY HEALTHY DURING THE HOLIDAYS
I like to cook and bake, savoring the aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves in my kitchen. I still get excited to decorate my gingerbread men and sugar cookies. The best part of it is that I can spend some quality time with my husband in our kitchen.
This season can be filled with stress and anxiety beside the beauty and excitement. We are stressed out with busy work schedules, gift buying, parties, family get-togethers etc. I observe people rushing from store to store and carrying heavy loads of bags with a grim look on their faces—apparently stressed out. Maybe they are overspending and wondering if the gifts will be liked. Everywhere commercials are screaming at us “buy more, buy bigger and better,” and the pressure kicks in. Often, we are forgetting LOVE doesn’t come in boxes. Think about how can you show your family and friends how much you love them and care about them. Do something different this year.
“We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.” –JFK
I hope you won’t forget the most important person: YOU. And I don’t mean for you to be selfish and disregard others. If we feel tired, frustrated, miserable, or unhappy in our own skin, don’t you think it would be unfair to expect our spouses, children or family members to make us happy??!!
Try to find some time every day for yourself. Even is that for ten minutes and de-stress. Meditate, read something uplifting, do breathing exercises, visualize the golden healing light, listen to your favorite song…show yourself you DO care and other people will follow (mirroring your behavior). Self-love will create miracles in your life.
During the holiday season, we tend to fall off the wagon of healthy eating. It is not easy when we are surrounded with all those delicious cookies, lattes, candies, and glazed nuts everywhere. Follow a few rules to help yourself to stay on the healthy path. Remind yourself why you are eating healthy. Be aware; sugar is highly addictive.
- If you cook and bake, try to use healthier recipe.,Sse skim milk or nut milk. Instead of sugar, use natural sweeteners (honey, coconut sugar, stevia, Xylitol). Use coconut oil.
- Never go to a party or function feeling hungry. Eat beforehand (lots of veggies and fruits with low glycemic index). Have nuts handy, so when you are tempted you can munch on them (like walnuts or almonds, and choose raw and unsalted).
- Socialize!! Give yourself a goal to meet three people at the party and learn about them.
- Never go for seconds; put food on your plate and move away from the tables (if it’s not a sit-down setting).
- Drink plenty of water all day long; drink more than you do usually to flush all the junk from the body.
- Exercise!!! Even if you are very busy, set aside at least fifteen to thirty minutes each day to exercise. Fifteen minutes of a high intensity workout is much better than no workout.
- Take your supplements and probiotics.
Relax and enjoy the season. Don’t deprive yourself; just be mindful. Enjoy the get-together, the colors, aromas, and the music of the season. And, of course, the gifts underneath the Christmas tree.
I wish you the happiest of the holidays!!
With love and gratitude,