Handling Holiday Temptation
Well, it’s that time of year again; when we drive ourselves crazy looking for the perfect gift. What are you wishing for yourself and your loved ones this holiday season? We always wish for good health. We toast to it and pray for it at holiday meals, surrounded by relatives or friends. But do we put much thought into it afterwards, or just dive in and dismiss what was just said?
The poet Virgil said “The greatest wealth is health.” We’ve all heard people say, without your health you have nothing. This is not a new concept. Yet in these times we have accepted poor health as the norm. We accept taking mind-numbing amounts of prescriptions, feeling crappy all the time and missing out on life events.
I know first-hand how difficult it can be to make changes that go against the norm. You know you’re doing the right thing, but it’s hard when everyone and everything else around you is trying to pull you back into the same old behaviors. Furthermore, you feel like you have fewer options; especially when it’s your diet you are trying so hard to change. You have fewer choices for dining out healthier, and holiday parties give you a panic attach rather than those feelings of warmth and excitement you used to have.
Here’s my recommendation for the holiday season.
- Don’t go anywhere on an empty stomach. It will make you want to chew your own arm off or overindulge. This will leave you feeling like you just can make changes and could doom you to failure. Instead, eat a healthy snack or small meal before going out. Then you will be less tempted to gorge on food that sabotages your goals.
- Make stress reduction and exercise a priority. They help with reducing anxiety and will combat cravings.
- Have a treat. We have a skewed reality when it comes to moderation; especially during the holidays. If you go to a holiday party every weekend and practice the previous recommendations; true moderation says you can have something otherwise off your regular menu. But it doesn’t mean you dive into every offering. You can really sideline your game plan if you try one of everything every day something is put in front of you.
- Keep the alcohol in check. Not only is it illegal to drive under the influence, but your liver doesn’t appreciate it. Furthermore, unless you’re drinking organic, dry wine, the sugars in alcohol will add up fast. So drink plenty of water and ask yourself (no, I mean really ask yourself), what is it I’m drinking for anyways? Social situations tend to be highly charged. Reflect on what the alcohol is for you. Does it make you more relaxed? We have lavender oil for that. Does it make you more sociable? Is it easier for you to open up? This is an area that you can really have a transformation in once you get to the bottom of it.
My hope for you is that you take these thoughts into your holiday season and seriously consider what you want for your health. There will be a lot of temptations put before you. Each time, ask yourself what is most important to you.
If you or someone you love struggles with this, the temptations, or simply how to make meaningful changes toward better health; I have included a coupon below. You can forward it to whomever you think might be looking for a way out of the health care maze and diet craze. Just enter the code on the purchase screen for the 30-day program or mention the discount to me if purchasing private or my newest program, semi-private group coaching.
Today I launched my new website, and this is the first post. My husband says I can now add “Developer” to my resume. It’s not something I cared to add, but I really wanted to create a place for everyone who is looking for somewhere to go. I will continue to build on it over time; but for now, I just want to be able to bring over the existing content in a better format. The address hasn’t changed, only the format. And I have to repopulate the recipes. I hope you like it.
In the meantime, enjoy the holidays and be good to yourself in all aspects.
Yours in Wellness,
Jackie
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