December has come, and the calendar events are accumulating en masse, the tasks you need to do by the end of the year are still waiting, and let’s not even get into present shopping and the chaos that is: shopping anywhere, at this time of year.
This blog is here to give you some tips on how to navigate the chaos, and try to maintain your balance into the new year!
Keep up the good work
As much as you can, try and stick to your routine and goals. Keep taking your herbs and supplements, exercising, eating well, sleeping and waking at the same time. Obviously this is not going to be possible in every situation, but just remember this is what makes you feel good, and your wellbeing is a priority especially at this time, but always.
Rest and Recuperate
This time is chaotic, and also usually coincides with most of our only time off for the whole year! It’s lovely that this is a time to spend with loved ones, catching up and enjoying festivities. However this is also you time. You have worked hard all year and deserve some time to rest and recuperate. So don’t make excuses, schedule it in if you need to, and don’t be judgmental of what your ‘you’ time looks like. If it feels good and rejuvenating, then do it.
80/20
One of the most common things we hear and see around this time of year is the ‘all or nothing’ approach. With people saying things like ‘I’ll start again in the new year’. Life is to be enjoyed, and it’s not what you do all the time it’s what you do most of the time. Perfection is unrealistic and sets us up for failure.
So if you’re one of these people, this year try to set yourself up for success! Take an 80/20 approach, include 80% of foods and drinks that make you feel good in your body, and keep the rest to under 20% of your total intake. On top of this, keep a solid foundation, protein, healthy fats, complex carbohydrates and veggies with every meal and about 2L of water at least a day. If you can incorporate this into your festive season, I promise your body and you will be so grateful.
Up your greens!
Greens are full of vitamins and minerals like magnesium, vitamin C, folate, iron etc… which help us stay energized, keep our immune system strong and support our ability to deal with stress.
Additionally, Greens, (especially if they are bitter or a brassica), support our liver function, upregulating detoxification pathways; helping us to cope with the extra indulgence we may experience at this time. A bitter salad of rocket with your meal or greens in your routine smoothie is a great way to incorporate these.
Lean on your herbs
If you need a little more support over this time, lean on your herbs in the form of food, tea, herbal tinctures and tablets. Depending on what you need different herbs may suit:
Some of my favourites for this time of year include: Tulsi, because it helps you adapt to stress, soothes your nerves and can also support your immune system. Lemon balm as it calms anxiety, uplifts mood and supports digestion. Cinnamon to support digestion and help balance blood sugar levels, Globe artichoke and Dandelion for some liver support and gallbladder support, helping digestion and detoxification.
Support your gut
If your family is anything like mine, Christmas is all about the food, and when you have family, friends and work Christmas lunches and dinner all crowding on top of eachother, your gut already feels a bit sore.
Our gut is heavily influenced by what you eat and drink, so during the Christmas period try to go easy on it. Stick to your portions and try not to over eat. Include warming spices and bitter foods to support digestion. Include some stewed apples, or a nice gut powder (speak to your naturopath or call into the clinic), to protect your gut lining, and go easy on the sugar and alcohol for your microbes sake.
Stay hydrated
Arguably the most important is staying hydrated. For most of us we are in Australia and Christmas is hot, full of salty and sugary foods and too many dehydrating beverages. Keep up your water! This will help support detoxification and cellular energy, and most likely combat the fatigue, headaches, and even digestive complaints you might usually experience.
This may look like having 1 glass of water between drinks as a rule, or starting the day with 1 litre just in case you forget later. Whatever works for you.
I hope these tips help see you through to the new year, feeling calm, collected, refreshed and ready for another lap around the sun.
If you feel you could use some extra support, whether that be herbal, physical therapy or even emotional/ energetic please reach out to the clinic we would be happy to help.
