Christmas and New Year
I write this at the end of 2021, and many are exhausted. Just keeping up with the news can be exhausting, and keep us plugged into stress and constant overstimulation. Come back to your own life, and what you have some control over.
Here are some very simple tips for this time of year.
Acknowledge exhaustion, if it is there. Sometimes we are running on adrenalin for so long, we can’t remember anything else. Then do what you can to simplify what you have to do, and don’t take on any more than necessary. Everyone I know is making Christmas more and more simple.
Keep up your basic self care routines as much as possible. eg your supplements, your walks
Eat as you normally would, if you normally have reasonably good food routines. Don’t skip meals so that you can binge later. Bingeing is never good, and is always the opposite of restriction. Keep your blood sugar stable with regular balanced meals and snacks- protein and carbs.
Don’t go for all or nothing thinking. Just because you ate or drank something you told yourself you wouldn’t, doesn’t mean you now may as well eat the whole pie or drink the whole bottle. Better to just eat normally and enjoy the extra luxuries and treats. If you don’t restrict in your mind, you are less likely to fall into the trap of all or nothing thinking.
People have traditionally come together around sharing food, for a long time. Applying too many food rules and restrictions at this time may undermine the immense value of simply coming together around food, and the nourishment that brings.
Plan ahead for any food restrictions you might need or want to keep- such as needing to avoid gluten.
Drink enough water and fluids, especially when also drinking alcohol. Possibly alternate an alcoholic drink with non-alcoholic to stay hydrated.
Look after your liver with some greens, fresh fruit, hydration.
Eat your good food, your protein and veggies and fruit, before the alcohol and sugary foods, and you are less likely to overindulge.
Stay away from extremes- of avoidance, restriction, and therefore uncomfortable overeating. And if you do eat uncomfortably too much, don’t completely skip eating to overcompensate….keep your blood sugar regulated with regular meals and snacks, and, again, stay hydrated.
