6 Steps for Healthy Holidays
I absolutely love this time of the year! But with holidays comes so much stress, overeating, traveling that depletes our bodies and weakens our immune systems. On top of that there is holiday shopping, company parties, alcohol, late nights, and bills…lots of bills… All those things mixed together make a perfect formula for getting sick.
With that many things going on November – December, it’s a challenge to keep our bodies functioning properly. So, I have 6 simple steps for you to take this holiday season so you can stay healthy and keep your immune system functioning at its best.
1. DRINK MORE WATER
I know there is nothing new here but it’s one of those things that most people know they should do but not that many of us actually do it. Our bodies are 75% water so it’s essential to constantly keep replenishing this fluid. Too little water causes a host of different issues but some of the most common ones include dehydration, headaches, and fatigue.
People are often confused about how much water to drink… Some experts recommend drinking half of your body weight in ounces, some say that on average men should have about 3 liters (13 cups) and women about 2.2 liters (9 cups) of water a day. The amount, of course, depends on each individual person and some things need to be taken into consideration. For example: green juices, herbal teas, and juicy fruits and veggies.
Either way, just drink MORE water! Especially with the Holiday Season and overindulging in food and alcohol, make sure you flushing out your system and keeping your organs functioning at their best.
2. MOVE YOUR BODY
You mean during the holidays? Yes and here is why…
So many people pay extra attention to what they eat, but they don’t bother to move their bodies daily. That doesn’t mean you should be at the gym every day sweating, lifting weights, or doing Zoomba! Movement of any kind aids digestion, assimilation, circulation and respiration and should be one of the most important parts of your daily routine.
Movement can be as simple as taking a nice walk outside, getting on a bicycle, jumping on a trampoline, playing with your dog in the park, etc. Remember that our bodies love consistency so make it a part of your daily routine and don’t stop moving just because you are on a holiday!
3. DITCH REFINED SUGAR
I know, easier said than done especially now that the holidays are upon us… Halloween candy overload, pumpkin pies even though you are super full and of course, all the holiday cookies, hot chocolates, eggnogs, etc. Been there done that!
But, there are a few things we can do.
Consider natural sweeteners
Not all sugars are created equally. When cooking this holiday season, go for natural sweeteners like honey, date sugar, maple syrup or stevia and try to steer clear of refined white sugar. For more ideas on refined-sugar free sweets, check my recipes for gluten-free apple pie and blueberry sweet bread
Eat good quality proteins and fats
Consider hemp seeds, wild salmon, sardines, avocados, pastured eggs as they provide anti-inflammatory properties and will help to keep you satiated making you less likely to crave sweets.
Eat a snack before going to a holiday party
If you plan of eating out this holiday season, grab a healthy snack first. Hunger is hard to control and it can cause a domino effect of unhealthy choices. You can snack on some seasonal fruits, nuts, or something like organic blue corn chips dipped in guacamole or humus. Whatever you choose, it’s a smart move not to be starving as you arrive to the party.
4. FIND TIME TO RELAX AND GET QUALITY SLEEP
Maintaining good quality sleep is essential to your optimal health and well-being. If you are feeling run-down, struggling to focus, or feeling irritable for no clear reason, you may want to look into your sleep patterns.
The stress and overindulging during holidays can easily sabotage the quality and quantity of your sleep. Follow these simple steps to avoid sleepless nights:
Reduce your daily intake of caffeine, order decaf pumpkin latte if you have to :)
Don’t go to bed on a full stomach.
Turn off your computer or TV at least 2-3 hours before going to bed.
Put a bath time on your calendar. Indulge and unwind, use the power of essential oils to help you relax.
Limit your alcohol intake before going to sleep.
Try to stick to your normal schedule and go to sleep as close to your regular hours as you can.
5. SAY NO
This is one of my favorite suggestions and it’s highly underrated! It’s likely that you are going be invited to many holiday celebrations, work parties, get-togethers with friends, etc. Guess what? You don’t have to attend every single one! Just pick a few that you will enjoy the most and put your self-care on the pedestal.
6. USE ESSENTIAL OILS
Because the essential oils are so sweet smelling it might be easy to assume that their value is one of just beautiful aromatic experience. But this could not be further from the truth...
Natural essential oils, such as doTERRA, have a chemical footprint compatible with the human body. They have such unique ability to help the immune system bring itself to balance because they are lipophilic (soluble in fat) and therefore are able to penetrate the cell membrane. Viruses are also lipophilic. Essential oils are naturally drawn to the inside of the cell to help the body eradicate threats within the cell.
They are wonderful at warding off risks that exist outside the cell too, such as bacterial & fungal infections. Oregano oil, for example, is often referred to as "nature's antibiotic" and has been used for over 2,500 years in folk medicine.
If you want to learn more about these precious gifts of the Earth, check out my YouTube video below to see how to use top 10 safely and effectively, learn about safety, difference the sourcing makes, and why doTERRA is the only brand today that doctors and hospitals trust.
Hope you have the most amazing holiday season this year and these tips help you to stay healthy!
Cheers!
Download my 25-page 1 Day Detox E-Book here.
