Let’s face it—with the holidays around the corner, we all worry about excessive eating, drinking, and that overall feeling of overindulgence. I always tell my clients that it’s better to indulge than to stress! It just makes more sense to own up to the fact that there will be this short time when we will socialize more, eat the wrong foods, and drink too much alcohol. After all, it’s the holidays! However, there are some tips I’d like to share to make this holiday overindulgence a little less troublesome and stressful.
Here are a few strategies to help you cope during the holiday season:
Hydrate!
I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to make sure you are well-hydrated. There’s nothing worse than running around shopping and then showing up at the party with little to no fluid intake all day. Alcohol is a diuretic. If you don’t drink enough water with alcohol, you can quickly become dehydrated, leading to headaches, joint pain, fatigue, and an overall feeling of not being well. Try keeping your water bottle in the car as a constant reminder. Before you leave for the party, drink at least two cups of water.
On the topic of alcohol, try not to mix too many cocktails.
Sticking to one type of liquor will not be as harsh on your system. Beer is very heavy and causes a lot of bloat and fermentation.
Walk more and sit less.
These words might sound silly, but sometimes we need a reminder to do just that. If you walk every morning, add an extra walk or two later in the day. It doesn’t have to be long— even 15 minutes will move your lymph, which is our body fluid responsible for eliminating waste.
Sweat more!
If you don’t have time to get to the gym, relax in some sauna sessions. There’s nothing like a good sweat to help detox, improve circulation, and push toxins out.
Pick your “poisons” wisely.
It’s best to overindulge with proteins rather than sugars. Holiday feasts tend to have richer food choices than regular parties. I suggest going easy on the desserts if you’re having a rich protein meal. The combinations can be tricky and cause bloating and discomfort.
So, as you gear up for the holiday season, embrace the festivities, indulge a bit, and keep these simple strategies in mind. Here’s to a joyful and healthy holiday filled with good times, good company, and good choices! Cheers!