Health tips for thriving (not just surviving) your way through the silly season
The festive season is an exciting time of year, but it can also come with a few stressors (and temptations) which can impact our health and leave us feeling and looking less than great.
Thankfully there are some easy things we can do!
Here are some of my top tips to help you stay on top of your health and keep you looking and feeling your very best this festive season!
Get active with the whole family
Any form of exercise helps to keep the metabolism pumping, helps distress and relax, and releases endorphins to make you feel good, however keeping on top of your exercise regime can be difficult this time of the year. Thankfully we are very lucky in New Zealand with daylight saving and the beautiful beaches, so enjoy some active time outside with your family and make the most of the longer days – with the added benefit of some Vitamin D!
Combat Sugar Cravings
Making sure you eat a wholesome breakfast, lunch and dinner with plenty of protein and good fats will help you to feel satiated for longer and help keep your blood sugar stable – making it easier to say no to too many Christmas treats!
A deficiency in magnesium can cause sugar cravings so eating magnesium rich foods or adding a magnesium supplement to your regime can also help.
Get Quality Sleep
It’s difficult to stick to your usual sleeping habits at this time of the year but you can increase your chances of a good quality nights’ sleep by limiting caffeine after midday, limiting spicy foods during the evening that are difficult to digest, and keeping devices out of the bedroom. A magnesium supplement taken at night can also support relaxation, soothe muscle tension and ease stress ensuring a more restful and therefore quality night’s sleep – important for keeping the immune system and metabolism strong and energy levels high!
Don’t let stomach discomfort get in your way
Festive celebrations usually come with all those delicious Christmas treats, but unfortunately consuming too many may cause stomach discomfort and bloating. Keeping your gut healthy is important to prevent and minimise this discomfort. A daily dose of turmeric can help your gut function more efficiently, and its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties help alleviate pain caused by spicy foods, alcohol consumption, and lack of exercise.
Add in ginger for absorption and turmeric can relieve symptoms of an upset stomach fast!
Make Water your best friend
Hydration, and I am not talking about the alcoholic type! It’s easy to confuse thirst with hunger which also leads to mindless snaking. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water as the months are warming up - and if you are enjoying an alcoholic beverage sipping on water in between drinks will help you stay hydrated.
To help with flushing the extra food and alcohol out of your liver try adding a little lemon and natural sea salt to your water to sip on during the day. The lemon makes the water taste delicious and salt was traditionally used in ancient Ayurvedic medicine as a way to cleanse and detox the body.
Holidays should be a time where you really nourish your body and take time to rest and look back and be grateful for the year that’s been.
– Lots of love and good health, Jess x