5 Tips For A Guilt-Free Holiday Season
By: Devon Smith
Onsite Holistic Health Coach
It’s officially December, the time of year when “guilty eating” seems to be a necessity, long evenings on the couch curled up with hot chocolate and a good Christmas classic are all the rage, cookies are somehow always in the kitchen, and the cold weather makes our beds look a lot cozier than the gym. As a result, many of us end up in a rut, feeling “guilty”, “bad”, or “naughty” for eating certain foods and not engaging in certain health habits.
Here’s the truth though: health is not all or nothing, and it’s definitely not static. While there are general health tips that are true most of the time, our health needs, wants, and desires are constantly evolving. Health doesn’t always mean green juice and yoga classes; health may sometimes look more like cuddles on the couch rather than a good sweat at the gym. So, let’s dive into my top 5 tips for having a fun-filled and joyous yet guilt-free holiday season!
Tip #1: Move your body after big meals
This helps to not only improve and quicken the digestion of the meal you just ate, but it can also reduce discomfort and bloating as well. In addition, movement is the main method by which we trigger the detoxification of our lymphatic system, so try going for a quick, 15-minute walk after your next roast dinner, and see how much less bloated, uncomfortable, and full you feel. Your digestion (and bowel movements) will thank you!
Tip #2: Ditch the drastic changes, and stick to subtle efforts
As Klara Mudge, a functional medicine-trained, nutritional therapist, likes to say, “Health is cumulative. Don’t throw joy and pleasure out with the gluten. Keep happiness in.” It’s the little efforts in life that add up to vibrant health. There is no need to “punish” yourself” or start a new diet after every “mess-up”. Instead, start small.
Maybe add in a 30-minute brisk walk every morning or try getting to bed an hour earlier. Rather than denouncing all foods that bring you joy, add in a side salad to your dinners or a few more cups of water into your day. There is no need to derail your entire lifestyle for the sake of health.
Tip #3: Allowing yourself to “indulge” doesn’t mean “eat all of the Christmas cookies in sight”
While drinking a warm mug of eggnog at the company holiday party or noshing on the cheese plate may be part of you enjoying the season, balance is still key.
You can relish in the comfort and bliss of holiday food while still maintaining an overall healthy and balanced diet. Maybe try out 5 cheese crackers instead of 15, and fill up more on the grapes and apple slices than the cheese and crackers. How does that feel?
Tip #4: Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
I’m sure we have all heard time and time again how important it is to drink water and stay hydrated, and yet here I am, telling you once more. Not only does the holiday season tend to elicit more drinking, thus dehydrating your body further, but staying hydrated has too many incredible health benefits to discount its role in health. These include clearer cognition, better sleep, improved detoxification of the body, weight loss, appetite control, and so much more. If you are someone who doesn’t like drinking plain water, try out a hot, herbal tea or place some fruit slices or lemon juice into your plain water for a drop of flavor. If there are reasons not to stay hydrated, I have yet to find them, so drink up!
Tip #5: Tune into your body, and see what it is actually asking for
The holiday season, while merry, also tends to be a time of stress. Not only are people preparing for the holidays, but work seems to pile up despite the non-stop festivities and upcoming holiday break. So, rather than always pushing yourself to do what you “should do”, maybe try doing what your body really seems to crave in that moment. Does your body NEED to lift heavy weights today or can you instead go on a long walk with a loved one and sip on some tea with them afterwards?
This time of year is not a time to hate yourself; it’s a time to love yourself. Enjoy the little things. Indulge a bit when it feels right. Laugh and cuddle and be merry. Guilt and self-loathing NEVER need to be part of the equation. In fact, they are rather counter-productive. All they do is suck the joy out of life, and we should all know by now that joy is the real test of good health. So, tune into your body, and simply be gentle with yourself.
Keeping these 5 tips in mind, I hope you can have the merriest, coziest, and most joyous of holiday seasons! No punishing. No drastic changes. Just small efforts, a whole lot of joy, and a great deal of mindfulness. That’s where lasting health and lifelong happiness are born...and remember, sometimes couch cuddles are better for the soul than salad is for the body. Go enjoy your holiday season and all it has to offer!