mindful eating, slow living & finding simplicity during the holidays
While the holiday season can be joyous, it is also stressful for many. December can come with deadlines, expectations, traditions and endless to-do lists.
I’m breaking down my thoughts on mindful eating, slow living and how you can enjoy the holiday season without sabotaging your wellness habits. Interested in learning more? Check out this week’s episode called Holidays and Mental Health on the Wahl Show where I was interviewed about staying well this holiday season.
Between family gatherings, drinks with friends, and the office holiday party, do you find your healthy habits falling apart each December? Finding balance during the holiday season can be tricky. Indulging with our loved ones is often what makes the holidays so special but how can we balance that with feeling healthy?
Overeating (or drinking) is a common holiday problem, one that can lead to low energy levels, heartburn, difficulty sleeping and more. What if I told you a little secret? We can have it all. We can enjoy the glorious holiday season and all its glistening Christmas lights and cookies without sabotaging our wellness habits.
Simply restricting what you eat, or drink won’t work because it leads to feelings of deprivation and stress that often contribute to the problem of overeating. Instead, follow these suggestions to help you eat more mindfully to enjoy all the tastes this season has to offer.
Practice Mindful Eating
Allow yourself to truly enjoy your favourite holiday flavours. Pay attention to the taste, texture and smell of the foods. Be present for your meals. Paying attention to what we eat can combat mindless eating habits that often contribute to overeating. It will help you make healthier choices and it’ll give you the ability to truly notice when you are full. Mindful eating allows you to really appreciate everything on your plate whether that’s cake or vegetables.
To practice mindful eating: eat slowly, savor the flavors, and stop when you feel full. Do not eat while multitasking aka put your phone away. Eating when we feel hungry should be a goal, not as a response to an uncomfortable feeling like stress or anxiety.
Interested in learning more about practicing mindful eating? Join us at WELL: an experience happening May 6-8, 2022 at the Hew & Draw hotel in Cornerbrook, NL.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking water is often overlooked as a necessary part of staying healthy. Our bodies are mostly made of water (about 60%) so we need a lot of fluid to feel our best. Staying hydrated has a ton of benefits including saliva, joint lubrication, delivering oxygen (our blood is 90% water), and boosting the health of our skin. Staying hydrated is especially important if you will be consuming any alcohol over the season. Alternating in a glass of water between wine and eggnog is a great trick and your body will thank you for it!
Let the guilt go
Cultivating a compassionate mindset when it comes to food will encourage a healthier and more balanced approach to eating especially during the Christmas season. Avoid using words such as 'cheat meal' to describe your holiday eating habits. Guilt is not empowering, and it certainly won’t keep you motivated. Enjoy the treats. Appreciate how delicious they are and enjoy the time with the people you love. Let the guilt go by practicing presence.
Reinvent your holiday workout
It might be challenging to make time for a workout when social calendars and to-do lists are jam packed. To stay motivated and organized, plan your workouts in advance. Schedule them in as a non-negotiable. My golden rule? Some is always better than none! This means squeezing in 15 minutes for a walk or a gentle stretch when you can. It will be good for the mind and the body. Movement can be simple.
DIY CHRISTMAS: slow living & finding simplicity
My December intention is to have a slow, cozy month. Slowing down is a great way to practice mindfulness. Since I finished exams, I have been spending my time baking new recipes, drying oranges for DIY decorations & gifts, and recently just spent a few days on beautiful Fogo Island. With 30cm of snow and 100km winds hammering down on us, I found joy in the comforts of a wood stove and a rocking chair. It was a lesson in slow living and I want to treasure those quiet moments all month long.
Want to try drying your own oranges? Pre-heat oven to 250. Cut into 1/4 inch rounds and lay out on parchment paper on a baking sheet. Bake them for about 3 hours. Make sure to flip them a few times! Then let them air dry for a couple days. Voila! You have the perfect decoration to make garland, trim the tree, make a gift wrap extra special or use it as part of a cozy stove top simmer!
