I know I've been slacking on my blog, so I thought I would write one before Christmas. This one has a simple message...take care of yourself this next week or so; the climax of the Holiday season.
To be healthy we must first and foremost focus inwardly. If what's on the inside isn't working well, then it'll be more difficult to change the outside. This time of year usually entails sleep deprivation, overindulging in sugary goodness, stressful shopping adventures, and my favorite, work pot lucks!
The important thing to remember, especially at this time of year, is that a few indulgences isn't the end of the world. At Christmas time there is a plethora of desserts and sweet snacks. The key is to pick a few you wait all year to have and only have those. Stop there. Yes that chocolate cake looks delicious, but you'll probably have it again at someone's birthday. Eat that gingerbread man you've been waiting all year to eat. (Of course this is just an example, if you've been waiting all year for Grandma's chocolate cake, go for it!)
This first step is key to the rest of those holiday traps. Sleep deprivation can be helped with less sugar in your body. I know a large portion of insomnia is the endless list going through your mind, but the other part is all the sugar you've recently ingested. Cutting back and picking one or two goodies keeps your blood sugar lower and more manageable for your body. With lower blood sugar and a better night's sleep, you're less likely to overindulge in sugary snacks (less sleep = more sugar cravings or diminished will power, you want to eat the thing that's the easiest to get...aka the drive thru) and will be better able to manage stressful situations.
Ah the stress situation. Lets take a moment to look at how harmful this is to our bodies. You're roaming the parking lot at the mall and finally find a parking spot...2 miles away. Instead of grumbling, I like to see it as my workout for the day (I know its a stretch, but the optimism may help your mood once you actually get inside the mall). Then you get inside the mall. There are little kids running loose from parents, the guy in front of you who can't seem to walk a straight line, and the woman behind you with a cell phone attached and at your heels because you're walking 'to slow.' Basically you want to scream "Wrangle your kids," "Move over or speed up," and "Bitch, get off your phone and get off my back." But in spirit of the holidays and our good manners, we simply keep it to ourselves to let it build up inside and cause 'Holiday stress."
This stress situation is harmful to our bodies. I'm sure you've read somewhere about stress raising hormone levels that cause you to overeat and lose energy more quickly. The holiday season makes it no easier to relieve stress and it seems to just keep piling on. My suggestion...take deep breaths and count to 10. I know cliche right? Sometimes counting to 10 will clear your mind and allow you to focus on your shopping rather than the rude shoppers around you. I also like the trick my friend in the blood bank uses...she gives her self a time limit to dwell on things. If it's something small and insignificant in the bigger picture (for example that person that totally cut you off in the parking lot), she gives herself a one hour time limit, then thinks about it no more. If its something bigger (you made a mistake at work) she gives herself 24 hours to dwell on it and then forgets it. I find this technique very helpful myself. After the set time period, I get it out of my mind and force it out if it sneaks back in...very helpful!
I hope this has been helpful. I know this time of the year is very stressful and leads to everything that can derail a diet or a lifestyle change. Just remember to live in the moment with family and friends and make the food and stress the secondary or insignificant part of your holiday season! Merry Christmas!
