The countdown is counting down quickly. Christmas is around the corner and in
addition to trying to maintain healthy eating habits around all the holiday
parties and get togethers most of us are trying to maintain some semblance of
sanity as well.
Sure its all pretty lights, happiness and good cheer, but if
you are the one in charge of … well … almost everything then there are also a
lot of opportunities for stress (and stress related over-indulging).
Here are some tips I’ve gathered to hopefully help keep the
stress under control. Nothing we haven't all heard before ... but definitely worth hearing again ... go me anyway -- sometimes it takes a lot of repetition before things really sink in!
STAY HEALTHY
It’s the middle of flu season and that means all those part
guests congregating around the kitchen table, buffet table or cocktails
probably all brought along their germs.
Give yourself a fighting chance of avoiding colds and the flu by getting
enough sleep and eating healthy. Wash
your hands or use a hand sanitizer frequently … especially before raiding the
appetizer tray and after shaking a lot of hands.
Dr. Oz recommends trying to “ward off seasonal colds with
fruits like cranberries and clementines.
These seasonal favourites are bursting with anti-oxidants to keep you
heart and blood vessels happy. They are
high in vitamins A and C, so they also pack a punch for you immune system. Tart cranberries offer antibacterial
benefits, which are known to lower the risk of urinary-tract infections. For the biggest boost – eat you cranberries
fresh and not dried.
There are a lot of tempting treats this time of year, but often
an unpleasant side effect of all that food and those fancy cocktails is
heartburn. Avoid that uncomfortable
burning sensation by leaving the tight fitting clothes at home. Wearing something tight may encourage you
NOT to overeat, but should you indulge they make you uncomfortable in more ways
than one! Try to eat plan ahead for
larger than normal meals. Have them
early enough so that you won’t have to lie down for three hours afterwards.
THINK ABOUT THOSE LIQUID CALORIES
You shouldn’t have to rule out alcohol altogether. It’s even been proven that, in moderation, a
drink can be good for your heart. A
DRINK – that means 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of liquor.
Try to enjoy your cocktail or wine from a tall skinny glass
instead of a short, wide one … studies prove you will drink less.
Be sure to stop consuming alcohol well before its time to do
to bed. A nightcap may cause you to
feel drowsy, alcohol ultimately disrupts nightly shuteye by decreasing REM
sleep and causing more nighttime awakenings.
GET ENOUGH SLEEP
Getting enough sleep this time of year isn’t easy but it’s
worth the effort! If you skimp on
slumber you are guaranteed to be more stressed, sick and – plump. Lack of sleep throws off the hormones that
help control your appetite.
To get better rest, skip the cookies and spiked cider; a
full stomach and alcohol can inhibit sleep (see above). Make an effort to allow some winding down
time as part of your bedtime routine.
If your holidays involve some long distance travel remember to allow for
jet lag and travel fatigue.
GET A HANDLE ON TRUE HUNGER
We gain an average of one pound each winter (if not more),
and while that may not seem like a lot, the average person never loses that
weight.
One way to ward off seasonal weight gain is to only eat when
you are truly hungry. How do you
know? Start by checking the time. If it is less than three hours since you
last ate something, try drinking some water before grabbing a snack. We often confuse hunger and thirst because
the signals the body sends are similar.
By eating only when you are truly hungry, you reduce the
total calories you take in, improve your blood sugar levels and help lower
insulin resistance.
FIT IN A WORKOUT
