The Xmas period is meant to be a joyful time of year, but even the most enjoyable holiday season can be stressful at times. Last minute gift buying, entertaining friends and family and the travel associated with this time of year can get a bit overwhelming.
While a little stress can actually be good for you, it’s important not to let these situations get the better of you. Without further ado, here are my top tips for managing silly season stress.
- Get plenty of rest – sleep deprivation makes it much harder for you to manage even the smallest stressors.
- Stick to a budget– nothing like money worries to put a dampener on Xmas cheer.
- Relax and go with the flow
- Don’t deny yourself – allow some indulgences, relax a little and have some treats. Factor them in so that you don’t resent the situation and you will be far more likely to last the distance and stay in control.
- Bump up the exercise – we have beautiful long summer days so we can squeeze in an extra 30mins in the morning when we first wake up or of an evening when we get home.
- Try not to overeat or drink – the key phrase here is “all things in moderation”. Read on…
Dine in the slow lane. Leisurely munching isn’t rocket science: Take small bites, chew thoroughly and put utensils down in between bites.
Our fast-food culture trains us to do the opposite, gulping at warp speed like a hungry Labrador retriever with a stolen Christmas ham.
To really get into slow eating, focus on the whole experience. Fill your senses — notice the colours, aromas, flavours, textures and temperatures of foods before and while you eat them.
Fill your tank to 80%. Ever notice that when you eat till your buttons burst, your stomach feels fuller and fuller for nearly an hour afterwards? That’s delayed-reaction satiety. Harness it by stopping your next meal when you’re just 80% full. Wait 20 minutes and — I promise…you will feel fully satisfied. In Japan, they call this trick ‘hara hachi bu’ and consider it a key to longevity.
Begin with a crunch. Like last year’s bathing suit, your stomach can only stretch so far. Take advantage. Filling it with chunky, low-calorie, raw veggies, activates stretch receptors that send a signal to your brain that you’re full to the brim. Studies have found that people who start meals with a large low-cal salad eat 12% fewer calories during the meal than those who skip the strategic bowl of leafy greens, cherry tomatoes, carrots, and peppers
7. If it all gets too much remember Vitamin B is a great thing to have on hand to help with stress and fatigue. If that doesn’t work, call the clinic and we will mix you up one of those special tasting tonics to address those issues (incentive enough to stay out of mischief…)
Wherever you are and whatever you are doing for Xmas, all of us here at Marnie Downer Health wish you all the very best for the silly season and a safe, prosperous and abundant 2019. May it be your best year yet.
In health,
Marnie and the team.