Greetings!
Here come the holidays with all the joys of getting together
with family and friends, celebrating the many gifts of the year. And yet, the holidays can be a real trigger
for our hormones to get out of balance and undermine our enjoyment of this
special time of year.
With the sugar, caffeine, alcohol, the rich foods and
added stress, it is no wonder that by the time we reach the New Year, we are
more than ready for a detox.
Unfortunately, it can take weeks to get our body back on track from this
short adventure!
So what can we do to still find enjoyment in the season and
not spin off into mood swings, hot flashes and sleep disturbances? Here are a few easy suggestions:
- Simplify
and downsize your holiday expectations.
- Spend
time at events, doing activities with people you really enjoy.
- Set
healthy boundaries, graciously say, "Thanks, but my plate is already
full."
- Keep
up your daily exercise (even just walking) it's great for managing stress and burning up extra calories.
- Set aside a daily
5-minute minimum for quieting yourself and your mind.
- Eat
something healthy before going to a party.
- Take
healthy foods to parties - roasted vegetables, flax crackers and hummus,
fresh fruit.
- Limit
alcohol intake - substitute with pomegranate juice and sparkling water.
- Eat a
healthy protein (nuts, cheese, slice of turkey, an egg) when you eat
carbohydrates (sugar, breads & baked goods, pastas, alcohol).
- Plan events into your schedule that feed your soul: A walk around the lake,
sitting with a loved one by the fire, enjoying the holiday lights, listening to your favorite songs of the season...
Do the best you can, hold yourself and others in
compassion. Have a Magical, Peaceful,
and Joyous Holiday
Season !
Jane Kennedy, NP, MPH
Gordon Medical Associates
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