Since we are close to Christmas, I want to help you get yourself fit and healthy for the big day.
Christmas is a time, despite it coming around every year, we tend to become superhuman and try to do so much in a very short space of time. And then we blink and it over.
If we are not busy trying to be organised with all our shopping and sorting stuff at work. We are caught up in the party season and making time for friends and loved ones.
This can leave us feeling exhausted, then when it’s time to wind down and enjoy the festive season we end up with colds, sore throats, dodgy stomachs and or a lack of energy.
You'll be pleased to know that it's possible to remain healthy over the Christmas period and still enjoy yourself. All you need is a bit of discipline.
Let's talk about mental health
Keeping your mind sharp is crucial to being organised and this is something which will be important for you. A diet high in good fats such as oily fish, avocados or cod liver oil supplements will support this. You may also want to try the following:
Mood booster
When it comes to boosting your mood, vitamin D is a winner. Taking this through the winter months has helped me to keep the bounce in my step remaining motivated and passionate about my days ahead.
Exercise yourself into a good mood
For this part, I want to talk about gentle exercise for those that don’t go to the gym or can’t get to the gym. Doing 10 minutes at home in the morning will get you going. It can be a cardio workout (Joe Wicks has great videos on youtube), a yoga practice or an abs workout. Anything to wake up your body and your mind.
Silence the stress
Silence the mind with meditation. Meditation is a practice where an individual uses a technique – such as mindfulness or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state. Meditating for 3-5 minutes a day has many benefits so don’t be afraid of your own thoughts.
Keep calm & Rest
Rest may be hard to accomplish during this period, but it needed. A lot of us sleep because our body naturally requires us too, but we don't get a restful deep sleep as needed. Going to bed at a decent time is something we should do but we don't. As rest is important I suggest one evening a week (if you can commit to more than that is great), dedicate some time to you. Relax in a hot bath with some lavender oil, light candles as you watch TV, read a book while in bed, drink Camomile tea or Valerian Root tea. Treat yourself to a night-time pillow spray or go for an evening walk.
Beat the cold
Keep your body warm inside out by eating lots of warming foods. Start your morning with a hot beverage such as a cup of hot water with lemon or lime or ginger.
Eat a warming breakfast, oats or healthy pancakes are a good option. Drink lots of herbal teas throughout your day and aim for blends rich in Vitamin C such as Dried Seedless Rose Hips, Dried Hibiscus Flower Pieces, and Whole Cloves. If you drink tea or coffee the odd one or two won't harm you.
Enjoy soup and stews for lunch and or dinner adding warming foods like Ginger, Cumin, Leek, Sweet Potato and Black beans.
Save the calories
We tend to overindulge on the lead up to Christmas and then after Christmas we are desperate to lose the extra pounds. This may be where you need the most discipline. Planning your meals is key if you are going to accept all those party invites. Because if you are not careful your calorie consumption will peak before Christmas arrives.
