Holiday Moderation

Every year around this time I get anxious anticipating the parties, candies, cakes, nogs, and general excess that accompany the celebration of the winter holidays.  I love the idea of observing moderation during the holidays, but the moderation itself can be elusive amid the onslaught.  Here are some simple tricks to help make your holidays feel more wholesome without losing the joy.

  1. Start your day off right.  Even 5 minutes of meditation can set the tone for a peaceful day.  When we feel calm inside we are less likely to overindulge, lose our tempers, and make hasty decisions that we might regret later.  If you have more than 5 minutes, you can try 5 minutes of deep slow breathing followed by the repetition of an affirmation or mantra, like “Today I am at peace”.  Say it out loud, whisper it, or repeat it in your head for the next 5 minutes.  Then at the end be silent and observe your breath for 5 minutes.  These 15 minutes can make a world of difference in the experience of your day.
  2. Prepare your stomach.  Of the many detoxes, cleanses, fasts, and health programs I’ve followed, nearly all of them recommend beginning your day with a cup of hot water and lemon.  It tonifies your stomach and eases your digestion into activity.  Lemon acts as an alkalizer internally, creating disease resistance.  Plus taking a minute to appreciate and savor the warmth and fullness of such a simple drink can set a lovely tone of gratitude for the rest of the day.
  3. Chew more.  Having recently begun paying attention to how many times I chew my food before I swallow, I am amazed at the difference I feel after I eat.  If you are a person who tends to plow through your food (no shame in it, we’ve all been there) you may find that your digestion improves dramatically as well as the amount you eat being significantly less per sitting.  this bodes well for keeping holiday weight gain at a minimum and appreciation of the nourishing food you eat at a maximum!
  4. Consider celebrating your holidays in a different way.  For example, if you find that after New Year’s Eve you always start off your new year with a hangover, perhaps there is an alternative but fun way to spend the night.  Chem-free parties, inviting a few friends over to talk through the year and set intentions, going for a night hike, going to a New Year’s Eve yoga class, all of these are fun and different ways to spend your holiday.  Starting a new tradition might be just the thing you need to start a powerful shift in your life!
  5. Forgive.  If you have an off day (or an off night) and find yourself on the other side of a spate of indulgence, treat yourself as you would your best friend.  Give yourself a hug, tell yourself you are a perfectly good person and that you love yourself enough to continue to dedicate time and energy to feeling good.  No one is perfect; we are all doing the best we can.  There is always another opportunity to make a positive choice!

If you are interested in more holiday tips or help with detoxing please feel free to email me to learn more. Good luck and Happy Holidays!

Tanya