The day after Thanksgiving kicks off the busiest shopping season
of the year in the United States, and a time filled with parties and
other celebrations that for most of us doesn't let up until January.
The holiday season can be a wonderful time of celebration and the
joy of spending time with loved ones. It can also be one of the most
stressful times of the year for many of us. It is important to do
whatever we can to minimize the negative effects of these chaotic times.
Making wise food choices, staying hydrated, getting adjusted, and
taking time to exercise, stretch and reflect on the blessings in your
life will help you enjoy the holidays and greet the new year with
renewed vigor.
Taking the Time to Exercise:
Make it a habit to exercise first thing in the morning. This
will ensure that you receive the greatest benefits from your efforts,
and will make it easier to remain consistent over time. Your fitness
routine will become an enjoyable part of your morning routine, and you
will get it out of the way before daily life has a chance to distract
you from it. If you wait until later in the day, you will be more
likely to find excuses to skip your workout - especially during the busy
holiday season.
Effective exercise doesn't require a lot of
time either. Even a short workout in the morning is beneficial and will
help you to feel more positive and enthusiastic throughout your day.
If you are having trouble finding the motivation to get started, tell
yourself you can stop after ten minutes if you don't feel like
continuing. Most of the time you will feel so great that you will
choose to keep going a little while longer. Even if you choose to stop
after ten minutes some mornings, your body will still receive some
benefits even from these abbreviated sessions. The greatest benefit
though comes from being consistent and making exercise a regular habit
that you don't even have to think about.
Maintain a Healthy Diet:
Holidays are generally not the best time to begin a new diet, but
you can still avoid the typical holiday weight gain by making wise food
choices. Make sure to include a lot of vegetables and salads in your
diet, along with sufficient protein and healthy fats like pastured
butter, olive oil and coconut oil. Minimize grains, starches and sugary
drinks. Take small bites, chew your food well and eat slowly to avoid
overeating.
Decide whether there are any special holiday treats you would
like to indulge in, and go for quality over quantity. Avoid the
temptation to just mindlessly munch on whatever is in front of you,
especially at holiday get-togethers. Save your calories for a treat you
really love and then give it your full attention when you eat it, fully
savoring each bite to satisfy your craving. This will usually help
prevent any feelings of deprivation while you're being mindful of your
health.
Avoid the Holiday Blues:
It is not uncommon to feel somewhat depressed during the holiday
season. Regular exercise is very effective in preventing and
alleviating depression. But if you still find yourself feeling down,
one of the best things you can do is write in a Gratitude Journal each
day. You don't even need a special journal. Simply write down five or
ten things you are thankful for before going to bed each night. This
will help you to recognize and focus on all the blessings in your life.
Another tried and true way to lift your spirits is to help others. Find a cause that inspires you, or visit
VolunteerMatch.org
to see what help is needed in your community. Or perhaps you have a
neighbor, friend or family member who is lonely or could use some
assistance. "Helping others" regularly tops the list of what makes
people happy, and is a good way to combat the holiday blues.
Millar Chiropractic Clinic is again participating in the
Christmas Angel program, which has become a wonderful annual tradition.
Each clinic has a number of local children in need that are sponsored,
and many of our generous staff and patients experience the joy of
playing Santa for a child whose family is unable to afford Christmas
gifts. Ask our staff for more details if you're interested in becoming a
Christmas Angel.
