How to Thrive this Holiday Season

Can you believe that holidays are right around the corner?    Are you ready for the 6 weeks of holiday merriment?  The season can quickly derail your health journey and make it so easy just to put off all your good intentions till the new year.  Instead make a few changes in your lifestyle to minimize the holiday madness and focus on thriving this year.  You just might start the new year off healthier.   

Here are my tips to keep you thriving this holiday season

Indulge Mindfully
No holiday event ever ends well without a smart plan.  Don’t go hungry to any holiday function.  It’s a good idea to eat something healthy, preferably with protein before you go.   That will help to prevent any hangry decisions.  Load up on the veggies and have smaller servings of your holiday favorites.   Eat the foods you truly like and enjoy and don’t eat the ones you don’t like.  I know this sounds like common sense but the holiday brings out the see food, eat food mentality.  So, don’t eat the store-bought stale cookies just because they are there.

Drink in moderation.
 Stick with a glass or two of red wine or vodka soda for a better tomorrow.  And don’t forget that fancy drinks with lots of sugar might have nearly as many calories as a meal and are loaded with sugar! Alternate alcoholic drinks with lower-calorie beverages like water with lemon or soda water and lime.

Maintain your nutrition plan
Holiday events usually happen at lunch or dinner. This leaves 2 main meals and 1-2 snacks that are still within your control.  There is no reason to go off track from your typical grocery shopping and meal planning during the holidays.  The reason why you strive to eat healthy balanced meals is to provide your body and mind with the fuel it needs to function at it best. And you really need it this time of year. 

Modify your workout schedule
Holidays can make you very strapped for time so don’t skip your workouts all together.  Instead, modify them.

You don’t have to perform 3 – 4 workouts each week that last 60 minutes or more.  Focus on making the most of the time that you do have.   It’s much easier to fit in shorter workouts that last 15 – 20 minutes.  You can still get a good workout in. 

Vow not to say, “I don’t have the time”.  Just make the most of what time you do have.
Here are some links to help you rethink your exercise routine or to start one. 

Workout Options

Workout Options

Just Breathe
You can practice deep breathing anywhere and whenever you need some quick stress relief.  Sitting in traffic, waiting for your kiddo at school pickup, the check-out line, in your in-law’s bathroom or at your desk.  Sitting or standing, ground your feet into the floor.  Now close your eyes and breathe in slowly as you fill your chest and belly with breath.  Slowly exhale as you envision yourself letting go of stress.  Three deep breaths will help you engage your parasympathetic system and lower your stress hormones immediately.  For more health benefits make this part your daily routine.  To learn more breathing techniques and the science behind breathing for stress reduction, visit the Chopra Center .

Get Support
Instead of battling it out on your own, consider working with me to get started on your health goals or challenges.  I currently offering some great specials.  To learn more about what nutrition counseling can do for you and how we would work together, we can schedule a complimentary 30-minute session.

Here’s to a thriving this holiday season!