Tip #1: Don’t show up hungry
Knowing they’re going to a holiday event where food is bountiful, many people try to compensate earlier in the day by eating tiny meals or skipping them altogether. Don’t do this! Nobody makes good decisions surrounding food (or anything else!) when they’re ravenous, and studies consistently show that people who skip meals make poorer choices and eat significantly more later on. Avoid this by having healthy, balanced meals with fat, fiber, and protein throughout the day and, depending on the time of your event, consider having a protein-based snack beforehand so that you show up with balanced blood sugar and are capable of rational decision making.
Tip #2: Indulge selectively — and guilt-free
The holidays are full of opportunities to indulge, and indulgence is part of what makes them fun! But not every indulgence is worthwhile for you — some leave you feeling negatively about yourself, whereas others are fun and bring you real, genuine joy. Take a minute to think through which fall into each category. (As an example, perhaps you choose either alcohol or dessert at a party, but not both.) For whatever you do choose to indulge in, be fully present and let yourself enjoy it completely guilt-free!
Tip #3: Carve out a few minutes each day to meditate
The holidays can be a whirlwind and it’s easy to get stressed. A simple, effective antidote to this is a daily meditation practice. Even a few minutes a day has been scientifically proven to reduce physiological markers of stress, lower blood pressure, improve sleep, and reduce inflammation.
What are your tips for staying healthy throughout the holiday season? Let me know in the comments!