Get ready for Holidays
Holidays even the most pleasant ones are stressful for many of us. There are a few tips that I usually give my patients before the Holidays.
Healthy eating is especially important.
-Rather than avoiding unhealthy foods entirely, focus on the rule of 80/20. If you had a heavy brunch, eat light dinner or skip it by drinking a lot of not sugary drinks. Consider intermittent fasting ( after discussing with your physician) day prior to the planned dinner or after.
- Eat a nutritious snack before going to holiday events: few nuts, dry fruits to avoid being hungry at the event.
-Be mindful of portion sizes, and drink more water prior to the meal to prevent overeating.
-Don’t forget that alcohol adds more calories than we think.
Increased stress and poor sleep are the two most common complaints around Holidays.
-Take time to recharge: exercise a little more than you usually do: even 10 push-ups before work will make a difference.
-Don’t skip the gym classes, add extra ones
-Include 4-7-8 breathing exercises before going to sleep. Regular breathing exercises help with stress at any level.
During the Holidays we frequently forget things, including to refill medications or skip them entirely. Create reminders.
Most importantly do not forget to be grateful to your loved ones, your colleagues and to yourself.
Happy Holidays!