The holidays can be a busy and stressful time. Between all of the errands, parties, and family gatherings, it can be hard to find time for yourself. This year, make your health a priority by incorporating some self-care into your holiday routine. These seven tips will help you stay healthy and happy during the busiest season of the year.
Does your To-Do list make you want to cry?
When we pile our already full workplaces with social engagements, gift-giving parties, card sending, cooking, visits from extended family, and travel, we come up with one word: BUSY. It’s easy to become overwhelmed and frazzled during this time. Many of us rely on more sugar and caffeine to power through the season.
Good habits tend to go right out the window as we make way for our ever-growing to-do list. Some of the ways we forsake ourselves when things get busy include, but are not limited to:
increasing sugar and coffee intake
skimping on sleep
setting unrealistic expectations for ourselves
putting off exercise until the new year
denying ourselves pleasure or something enjoyable like taking a walk
This is all because we have a long to-do list. This might start to sound like I’ve been following you around with a video camera. Then these holiday self-care tips are for you. My hope is that by recognizing some of the patterns you fall into, you can start making some small adjustments to help support and maintain your health during this busy season.
My Holiday Self-Care Tips
1. Eat more fiber.
I always say, “Eat five to thrive.” The immune system starts inside your digestive tract, so it’s important to include plenty of fiber in each meal. You can do this by adding vegetables or fruit at every opportunity, even if you’re not hungry. This will help keep harmful influences away from other parts of the body where they don’t belong, like our skin, for instance.
Fiber helps us excrete toxins and prevents the fermentation of sugars, which leads to bacterial overgrowth in the intestine. Great sources of fiber include leafy greens and fruits, especially raspberries, squash, and flax seeds. Aim for at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
Take your vitamins.
This is not the time to shortchange yourself and pass up those supplements in your cabinet. Your energetic demand is higher than ever.
Some of my favorite supplements are Vitamin C, Zinc, Vitamin B12, and B complex. They will improve your immune system and give you more energy. This will help you manage stress better, so you don’t need to rely on coffee as much.
Stay hydrated.
By drinking at least 50oz of water a day, you can achieve this. When we have dehydrated, our mucus membranes dry out and crack. It makes it easier for viruses to penetrate the skin, especially in the nose, and enter the bloodstream.
A good rule of thumb is what I call the “PEE check”. Your urine should be clear to light yellow.
Get good rest.
Sleep more during this time, not less. The days are shorter, so it’s time for us to hibernate.
The body is a machine that needs regular maintenance in order to function at its best. Sleep plays an important role during this process as it allows us time for self-reflection and repair from daily demands while also restoring health by repairing cells, organs, & tissues.
Sleep isn’t just about getting rid of stress—it’s much more than that; sleep provides rest, which helps you feel refreshed after days filled with hustle and bustle and noises everywhere.
Daily demands are exceptionally high during the season, and you do need to protect and value your sleep.
5. Build a healthy, at-home medicine cabinet.
If you start to feel sick, it is important to have some natural immune boosters you can take right away. This will help your body fight the sickness and get better sooner. Mother Nature’s medicine chest is filled with potent cold and flu fighters that shorten the duration and severity of an illness. Having these items in your house will help you feel better faster if you get sick. This is because they will help boost your immune system. Make sure to stock up on Vitamin C, Zinc, Elderberry Syrup, and NAC (N Acetylcysteine).
A vitamin C cocktail can be made by combining the juice of one orange, 14 cup of warm water, a teaspoon of raw honey, and 2000 mg of vitamin C. Simply open the capsules and mix them in. Stir the mixture up and drink it.
Reduce stress by staying balanced.
Some are my favorite ways to bust stress include exercise and meditation. For the busy-minded person, exercise offers a mental health break that helps boost mood and energy levels.
If you feel like you’re under a lot of pressure, it’s important to find some way to relax. You should try to do something active that will help you relax at least four days a week.
If you’re new to my meditation, try guided meditations. The Insight Timer app is extremely helpful, so it might be something worth checking out.
7. A saline nasal flush.
If you’re suffering from a stuffy nose, Arm & Hammer® has the perfect solution.They sell these great saltwater flush bottles or sprays at your local drugstore. A saline nasal flush is basically a combination of baking soda and salt. You can do nasal flushing two to three times a week just to keep the bacteria and viruses out of your nasal passages.
The holidays are a time for joy, gratitude, and giving. And if you’re feeling stuck in your life or not quite happy with what’s going on around the house this season, then these seven things might help turn things around. You’re not alone. We’ve all been there at some point. This year, take a step back and focus on implementing a few self-care tips that can help make the holidays more enjoyable. From eating healthy to getting enough rest, we’ve got you covered. And if you want even more support in making the most of your holiday season, please reach out to us for a free consultation. Our team would be delighted to assist you in resuming your holiday celebrations.
If you’re looking to find out more about natural medicine, I have a lot of resources that can help. You could visit my website or schedule an appointment with me so we both get what’s best for your individual needs. I’d be happy to schedule a discovery call with you. During this call, we can discuss your symptoms in more detail and come up with a plan tailored specifically for you.
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DISCLAIMER: The information in this email is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content is for general informational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional
