Have the holidays got you feeling stressed? Maybe you’re just trying to survive the next few weeks until life gets back to normal?
What if you could actually enjoy the holidays? Check out how you can eat, move, and think in ways that will help you thrive this holiday season.
Eat
Let go of the “all or nothing” mentality
Try to strike a balance between healthy food and treats. Go ahead and enjoy a couple of your grandma’s famous sugar cookies. But that doesn’t mean eat all of them so you can skip out on the veggie platter. That being said…
Focus on nourishing your body
Fill your plate mostly with whole, real foods that will nourish your body. A meal of baked chicken with herbs, steamed broccoli with olive oil and garlic, and roasted sweet potatoes will taste fantastic and support your nutritional needs.
Move
Get outside
Even a quick walk in the fresh air will invigorate your senses. Consider playing in the snow with the kids or taking a walk in nature. Bring your phone or camera and take some pictures to document the fun!
Yoga / stretching
Doing yoga or some stretching will get your blood flowing and can help reduce your stress response. Check out Yoga with Kassandra for some great routines you can do at home!
Exercise with friends or family
Turn exercise into a social event! Going to the gym with a buddy is way more fun!
Holiday dance party
Turn on some holiday tunes and dance to the music. You’ll have a blast and get a great
workout!
Think
Gratitude
Start and end your day with a simple gratitude practice. When you wake up, think about or write down three things you’re thankful for. Do the same thing before you go to bed. Get the kids involved too!
Be present
Focus on where you are in the here and now. Getting distracted by the past or the future prevents us from enjoying the blessings (big and small) of the present moment.
Meditate
Prevent or reduce your stress response with meditation. Calm is a great app that offers free meditation exercises you can do anywhere.
Set clear boundaries …
…with others and with yourself. Decide what’s important to you, whether it’s quality time with family, sleep, giving yourself some down time, etc. If something interferes with those things, it’s ok to say no.
And of course, don’t forget to keep your chiropractic appointments! Keeping your spine healthy will keep your brain and body functioning properly. Call us today to book an appointment if you don’t have one on your schedule.
Dr. Derek Gallant
Dr. Derek Gallant has committed himself to helping others live the best life possible. After graduating from Wesleyan University, he received his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree from Life Chiropractic College West where he finished 2nd in his class. He is the owner of Beverly Family Chiropractic and co-founder of The Well Family Foundation. Dr. Gallant is certified through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) in the Webster technique, an analysis focused on assisting pregnant women in a healthy pregnancy and natural birth. He has inspired thousands of people to take control of their own health using the Life By Design method. Apart from full time practice you can find Derek at the parks and coffee shops around Beverly with his family, training hard at the gym, or at the beach surfing.
