Healthier for the Holidays

I've always hated the vicious cycle of worry about weight gain and overindulgence during the holidays. First we are programmed to feel we need to lose weight before they arrive so we'll look good in all the pictures/ fit into the special outfit . Next comes the stress and running around. Shopping for others becomes a duty and eats up most of our well earned relaxation time. Next we over-stuff ourselves and then have sugar crash from all the sweets which makes us want to sleep. When I stand back and look at the big picture, I think, this is not sounding very merry to me.

The holiday season doesn't have to be this way (and no you don't have to give up all that good food either.) What most of us don't know are ways to counteract some of the chaos and stress the holidays create in our lives. Here are a few tips I use to keep my sanity in check(I try to practice them every day but in December they especially help): 

•    Have a plan: simply by buying some of your holiday gifts earlier in the year, you free up valuable time on your already packed schedule. Also make a few meals in big batches so you can freeze them. That way, when you've had a busy day and are short on time you can enjoy a healthy homemade meal instead of grabbing chinese or a pizza.

• If you do go out and fight the crowds at the last minute, stay well hydrated and please wear comfortable shoes.

• If you enjoy holiday music try to play some quieter soothing songs in your car in between destinations. You'd be amazed at the difference it makes. 
• Think deeply about the gifts you are going to exchange. One meaningful, thoughtful gift means a lot more than a pile of impersonal ones.    
• Don't try to hit every holiday party you're invited to.  Take the time to decide which ones you'll enjoy the most, and attend those. The idea is to make deliberate choices about how you are going to spend your time. 
• Keep your favorite holiday traditions.  You say you celebrate Christmas, or Hannukah, or Kwanzaa the way you do because "that's the way my family's always done it." Choose the parts of the tradition that you love, that have meaning for you. Do away with the rest, and replace it with new traditions.    
• Focus on making memories rather than fulfilling the idea of the "perfect holiday." The perfect holiday is the one that is spent with the people you love, relaxing and enjoying each other's company. Anything else is extra, and you can decide to do away with any or all of it. It's up to you.      
•  If you're going to eat a heavy meal try to eat it earlier in the day (lunch if its possible) and have a lighter meal in the evening. It will give your body the extra energy it needs to get through that tough afternoon and you won't feel overstuffed and bloated when going to bed.

• Feeling peckish in the middle of the day? Snack on some almonds or a bit of cheese (organic cheese is always preferable) to give your body some much needed fuel that will last.
• When you awake in the morning think about at least two positive things coming up in your approaching day. You'd be amazed at the difference it makes looking forward to something instead of spending the day in dread. 
• When you arrive home from a hectic day, take a few minutes to enjoy a brief meditation or just enjoy some quiet time before worrying about what to make for dinner.

Wishing you & yours a holiday season full of lots of happy memories, love, light & laughter!