Lorna McCormack joins us today with her top tips for staying healthy over the holidays, while still enjoying yourself.
Can you believe the holiday season is upon us already? I know, I’m with you – it’s crazy how fast time flies by.
This is the busiest, shiniest, yummiest and craziest time of the year but it is also the time of year when you are most likely to fall flat when it comes to your own self-care routine.
However with the new year around the corner, this is actually the best time to ease yourself into healthy practices to nurture your body and feed your soul.
In this post, I’m sharing my top tips for staying healthy over the holidays.
#1 Get a workout/meditation/yoga session in first thing in the morning.
This will start you off on the right track, because as the day moves on it’ll only get harder, with visitors, cooking, wrapping and what not. Let’s just say there’ll be a lot of distractions. Plus the last thing you want to do is interrupt a social outing to do some self-care. This is the time of year when you get to catch up with your friends and family. Make the most of it and feel good doing so by having done your routines in the morning.
#2 Have a green juice or smoothie 2 hours before your meal
Having a green drink before your meal will ensure you are not starving come mealtime which will help avoid overeating. It will also give you a super nutrient boost, and help you cope with the usual holiday fare.
In fact in a season when we’re surrounded by sweets and celebratory foods, we need a little extra support to make healthy choices so I’m making this my number one tip for the entire holiday season.
Drink a green juice or smoothie every day over the festive period. It only takes a few minutes to whiz up a green drink. This is one of the best ways to add nutrient-dense foods to your daily diet and support your digestive system.
This habit will also help boost your energy, immune system and overall health. Plus, when I start my day with a green drink, I’m more likely to continue to make good choices throughout the day.
Here’s my favourite green drink recipe.
#3 Sip on hot water with lemon juice or a drop of lemon essential oil 10-15 minutes before your meal.
This will help get those digestive juices flowing and allow your body to break down food more quickly and easily.
#4 Go ‘to town’ with your sides & salads
When mealtime comes, start with a salad, and make sure your main plate is filled with hefty portions of vegetables. Most side dishes are plant-based and packed with nutrients. Don’t forget about them!
#5 Eat slowly and don’t forget to chew
Pace yourself. Put your fork down between bites. Get stuck into the conversation. Remember your tummy hasn’t got teeth! So ease the burden by chewing your food.
#6 Have some dessert, you deserve it!
I don’t believe in making yourself feel bad about the food you choose to put into your body. Practicing healthy eating is a mindset. It would serve you well to forget the ‘good versus bad’ food mentality and just do the best you can with what you have.
#7 When you’re finished with dessert, have some ginger tea
This will help you to digest your meal and ease any flatulence.
I hope these suggestions help you feel more comfortable and prepared to fully enjoy the pleasures of the season without overdoing it.
If you have any more tips I’d love to hear them. Leave your suggestions below.
Originally written for & published by Movement for Modern Life. Slightly edited for Happy Magazine.
