Christmas is a time of celebration, laughter, joy and spending time with loved ones and family. However, it is also often a time of rich food, sugary treats, increased alcohol consumption and late nights. It can also be a time of additional stress, catering for large groups, and sometimes being around people who can cause disruption or irritation.
Healthy Eating
It is tempting to gorge on festive treats and a very large Christmas Dinner, however it is still important to aim for a balanced diet and stick to some sort of routine. Vegetables, fruits and whole foods should still form the bulk of your eating to maintain an overall balance.
Don’t allow Christmas to start on December 1st and run through to the end of January. It’s really easy to start buying Christmas food early to spread the cost, but the temptation is to then eat it, and similarly I often hear that ‘I’m just finishing the Christmas food and drink off’ mid way through January.
Whilst it’s a time for celebration and joy, the quantity of food you consume shouldn’t change too much. We buy excess food which goes to waste when we can have different types of food but in the same quantity.
Hydration and avoiding excess alcohol
Drinking enough water is important anyway, but particularly if you’re drinking alcohol throughout the festive period.
Have water or a soft drink every other drink to halve your alcohol or opt for a non alcoholic drink. There are a wide range of non alcoholic beers, wines and spirits available now so you can feel like you’re joining the party whilst maintaining a clear head.
There’s a lot less pressure on having to drink alcohol so be confident enough to say no and opt for no alcohol.
Adequate rest and sleep
Late nights are often a mainstay of Christmas celebrations, but remember that rest and sleep are critical for overall health.
A lack of sleep can weaken the immune system
Aim for regular sleep/wake patterns even during the holiday period
Being rested will help you deal with the stresses of Christmas far better than when you’re tired.
Movement
Movement can come in so many forms and braving the elements is a great way to do this. Plan in some walks so you get the benefit of fresh air at the same time as moving your body. The gym hours may be different but plan when you can sneak off for a quick workout.
Stress
It’s meant to be a time of joy, but can so easily turn into a really stressful period. Schedule time for yourself, don’t overcommit to others. Keeping routine habits helps to combat stress, such as sleep/wake times. You can also add in breathwork techniques and also strategies around meeting others that can cause anxiety or irritation. A solo trip to the gym/run/walk, even if it’s only for 45 minutes, can make the world of difference for relieving stress. Agree with partners/loved ones to take it in turns so everyone gets a bit time to themselves. We often think we need to entertain all the time, when in reality our guests would probably welcome some space too!
Above all
remember that you don’t need to follow the hype and expectations of others, you can set your boundaries early. We’re only talking about a few days, so remember to put things into perspective and make space and time to enjoy.
