5 Ways To Stay Nourished This Holiday Season
This is the time of year when our cups runneth over with all things end of the year.
For some that might mean diving into all the holiday things and tidings.
For others it’s winding things down and getting some much needed break.
For a few it could be ramping things up for the new year.
Regardless of what’s in your cup, there is one thing EVERYONE ought to be ensuring - that you’re being nourished in the best way possible to support you through it.
And doing it right now, not next year and not on January 1.
Here are 5 things that will always add to you being nourished even during the holidays.
Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated is key during this season given the hectic schedules, increased alcohol availability and intake and shifts in routines.
Beyond being necessary to almost all bodily functions, being well hydrated can reduce any fatigue, sluggishness, and irritability, not to mention positively impact sleep and recovery.
So drink your water, plain or spiced up with aromatics and fruit if you like, but don’t forget to include some high water content foods like strawberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, soups and stews to further boost your overall fluid intake.
And if you need to set a timer to remind you every few hours to get a drink of water, do it. Your body will thank you.
Set and honor your boundaries
Setting boundaries and honoring them makes it clear to everyone, including yourself what matters most and what you won’t tolerate.
It helps you show up for yourself in the most radical of ways.
Examples:
Say no. Leave your phone off. Leave text messages and emails unanswered. Shut down comments about your body or your plate.
Whether you chose to be polite about it or not, boundaries (when enforced) protect your energy and your peace.
So, give yourself the gift of boundaries, and doing so gets someone upset or holding a grudge, rest assured that it has nothing to do with you.
You will be ok.
Keep your eyes on your own plate
Whether yo'u’ll be gathered at the family Christmas dinner or cookout, there is nothing more nourishing than making sure you tend to your hunger, health and happiness.
Cause that’s the only thing you’ve got control of.
Handle your nutrition taking note of what’s going well on your plate - without judgement, criticism or comparison to anyone else’s; identifying what foods (if any) you might want to shift away from and those you want to make space for that will be both nourishing and satisfying.
Whatever decisions you make, trust they’re the best ones for you (in those moments) and speak nothing to your value and worth, and they’re nobody’s business but your own (aka a boundary).
Make time for pausing, play and pleasure
All work and no play burns you out.
Taking moments to pause and rest, to seek out pleasure and play helps you complete your stress cycles and better set you up for being rejuvenated and energized.
Examples:
Tap into your creativity - make something and get creative, pet and play with your dog, get on the trampoline with your kids, spend some quality time with your partner.
No amount of time, or effort to pause, play or pleasure, is too small to keep you in good spirits.
Move your body
Your body was meant to move and thrives on being able to access it in your everyday activities.
In this period when stress can increase, moving your body, in whatever way you choose, has immediate positive impact on your mood and energy, your blood pressure and your ability to have good quality sleep.
Examples:
Go for walks even if it’s up and down your house. Play a game of ball toss with your kids. Get up and dance. Do a 10 minute workout. Go for a bike ride.
Getting in movement during the holidays, does not have to be about burning calories. It can be a way to do activities together with your family, explore fun places, clear your head and bring you peace.
There you have it! 5 simple ways to stay nourished through the holidays and beyond.
Happy Holidays!
