By Claire Brinsden Jordan
Holiday Trim
(and I don’t mean decorations)
It’s that time of year when we’re tempted to throw our healthful habits to the wind and indulge in the delicacies of the season. Between holiday parties and family gatherings, there are plenty of opportunities to go off the rails when it comes to your wellness. Here are some tips to stay healthy and happy during the holiday season.
Enough is as good as a feast…
What would the holidays be without all the wonderful food, drinks and desserts that only come around once a year? It’s perfectly fine to treat yourself to these fleeting treats, with limits. A party tray is not an all-you-can-eat buffet. Select a few items to savor and then move on. Consider eggnog a dessert, not a drink – it is full of cream and sugar, and half a cup contains over 200 calories. Portion control is key. Have that piece of pie or slice of fruitcake but make it a small one. You don’t have to deprive yourself to stave off the extra holiday pounds.
Eating food that you don’t usually eat can send your body into a tailspin. I have not eaten meat for over 25 years, and I have cut dairy, sugar, and carbs like rice, pasta, and bread from my daily diet. “Where’s the fun in that?!,” you say. Well, I have found that I just feel better when I don’t ingest them. Every year when the holidays roll around, I have a bit of cheese, a dollop of cream, a slice of bread, and a bit more sugar. I usually end up paying for this in the form of gastrointestinal upset, aching joints, headaches, and more. It’s important to set a limit on things your body is not used to handling, including alcohol.
Desserts spelled backwards is stressed…
The holidays create added stress in several ways. It can be joyous to have family coming to stay with you, but you’ll be giving up your personal space and disrupting daily routines. If there are family dynamics that can lead to stressful situations, it may be best to have relatives stay at a hotel or rental house where they will have more privacy and space. When everyone can sleep comfortably, they are more likely to enjoy the holiday.
It’s understandable to have high expectations for holiday gatherings, but these expectations generate additional stress. Acknowledge that, despite your best efforts, things may not go as planned, and that’s all right. Sometimes the most memorable and delightful moments of a holiday are the ones that are not planned. If you start to feel overwhelmed, find a quiet place and take a few deep breaths. Everything will work out for the best if you keep a positive mind-set.
There are also financial pressures during the holidays with added expenses for gifts, travel, and holiday meals. To manage this, set a gift budget that will not leave you in debt come January. Real friends don’t need extravagant gifts, they just want to spend time with you, so plan a fun outing together instead. To avoid having to buy individual gifts for everyone in a large family, consider a gift swap where each person only buys one gift for the exchange. Years from now your child won’t recall the toy they got when they were 8, but they will remember the excitement and happiness of holiday time spent with you. Don’t miss out on the tiny, brilliant things in life.
Dasher and dancer and prancer…
One of the best antidotes to holiday stress and high caloric intake is staying active. Enjoy time with your family by taking a long walk on one of our beautiful beaches or take an evening stroll in downtown St. Pete and enjoy the sparkling lights. Forget your inhibitions and get up on the dance floor at the holiday party. Make some lasting memories by playing outdoor games with your friends and family. Cornhole, badminton, and ping-pong are always popular. I was recently introduced to Kubb, a lawn game where you knock over wooden blocks with wooden batons. Trust me, it’s a lot more fun and challenging than it sounds! And yes, even shopping counts as training if you do enough laps around the mall. When your regular exercise routine is put on hold for the holidays, there are plenty of great alternatives to keep you moving.
A good laugh and a long sleep…
As Lord Byron said, “Always laugh when you can, it is cheap medicine.” Laughter releases those feel-good endorphins and neurotransmitters in the brain that give you a sense of well-being. Having a good chuckle increases oxygen intake and blood circulation and boosts the immune response. When you laugh with friends and family, it strengthens your relationships and defuses conflict. If you need a good laugh, watch a funny holiday movie together, or spend a night out at a comedy club. Recall humorous memories together over a cup of hot cocoa or mulled cider or play a game like Cards Against Humanity to lighten the mood.
Sleep is the key to handling holiday stress, change in routine and seasonal illnesses. You need at least 7-9 hours of sleep a night to manage stress and bolster your immune system. Although it may be difficult with late-night parties and long days of holiday preparations, it’s important to keep a consistent sleep schedule. If you do have a night with less sleep, repay your sleep debt with a nap. Try to avoid caffeine and alcohol before bedtime and keep screens out of your bedroom. Without proper sleep you won’t be able to fully enjoy your holiday time.
Managing diet, exercise, sleep, and stress is essential to having a healthful holiday season. When you are mindful of your own well-being, those around you will benefit too. Wishing you the happiest of holidays, and a joyous new year ahead!!