What is it with the holidays?

You’re supposed to be joyful and merry, but somehow in the midst of the hustle and bustle you end up feeling stressed out.  Okay, downright crazy like an elf with too many presents to make this year.  Could the candy canes and cookies have something to do with our frantic frenzy?  You bet!  Sugar highs, overeating and high expectations all contribute to holiday stress. Here are some tips for curing the holiday blues and enjoying a happy, healthy holiday this year.

1.    Choose your favorite holiday foods   With all of the food and festivities, it’s easy to find yourself in an endless eating mode.  Besides the standard three meals a day, there’s the abundance of holiday goodies at work, the get-togethers, and dozens of other ways you might enjoy some holiday cheer.  Bring on the food!What are we supposed to do?  I don’t recommend completely restricting yourself of sweets and treats because you’ll end up feeling deprived.  Instead, focus on the foods you really enjoy.  Be picky.  Make a “Holiday Favorites List” When the not-so-favorite treats come along, simply pass them by because they are not on your list this year. 

2.     Eat for Energy   While sugar may give you a quick boost, it’s what I call “fake energy”, and it doesn’t last very long.   Sugar can bring you down, just as quickly as it brings you up. The sugar highs and lows add stress to the body as it tries to cope with the drama.  Keep sugar to a minimum and focus on eating food that will give you lasting energy.  Make sure to include whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats and vegetables.  Need ideas?  Visit my Web site below for recipes.  

3.    Include extra water With all the hustle and bustle, it’s easy to forget to drink your water.  Or maybe it’s the peppermint mochas and eggnog calling your name. Don’t forget your water – it will keep you sane, believe it or not!  When you become dehydrated, a thirst message gets sent to your brain.  Usually, due to the speed of life, the thirst signal is mistaken for a hunger signal and you reach for more to eat. My suggestion:  Drink 8-12 glasses per day.  Start each day with 1-2 glasses and don’t forget to carry a bottle with you as you check off your to-do list.  

4.    Plan ahead with foodWhen hunger hits its easy to rely on fast foods.  Who can blame you? No one wants to slave in the kitchen after an exhausting day.  But overbooked calendars can cause you to forget about healthy eating.  What happens?  You arrive at the holiday party famished and begin to eat whatever’s in sight.  Sound familiar? Plan ahead with healthy snacks.  This will give you lasting energy, reduce your cravings, and fill you up with healthy choices before you arrive.  Consider bringing a healthy dish to share instead of more cookies. Certainly you’ll be remembered this year.  

5.    Create your ideal holiday What would your ideal holiday look like?  Have you experienced it before?  Take a few minutes to daydream on this.  How many events would you attend?  Do you love wrapping presents or picking out the perfect gift?  Do you enjoy holiday parties or family gatherings? We think we have to do it all!  Our expectations can weigh on us and cause us to feel like we are carrying a load of Yule logs on our back.  Release the idea of being perfect and choose what you truly love to do during this season.   Once you have completed the picture of your ideal holiday, set your intention on sticking to your plan, be prepared to say “no” to obligations outside your plan, and be willing to allow your ideal holiday to unfold.  

By choosing just one or two of these tips, you’ll be singing your holiday blues away!