We have made it to the end of the year! A very interesting year at that. With everything we have been through during 2021, it’s time to look forward to enjoying a wonderful summer and holiday season. This is the time to indulge, and why not, I think it’s safe to say we all deserve it. There will be plenty of eating and drinking – most likely more than usual if you compared to the rest of the year. And that’s what life is all about, we should celebrate and be able to indulge! However, it can also make us feel tired and sluggish, so here are some tips to help keep on track during the festive celebrations.
- Start the day off in a mindful way – Getting your body moving or taking time to be still first thing, is a great way to start your day in a positive way. Go for a walk, run, do some yoga, morning meditation or be still in a room alone for 10 minutes. These are great ways to get your blood circulating and your mind in the best shape to make better choices throughout the day.
- Check in with your hunger – This can be the difference between feeling satisfied or overly full. Check in with where your hunger levels are before you start eating and try to continue this throughout the day. It will help to determine how much food you put on your plate, as portion control is important to ensure you are not overeating. Remember, you can always go back for more.
- Drink plenty of water – Keeping yourself hydrated is hugely important! It is essential for promoting good digestion, energy, focus, transporting nutrients, encouraging circulation and metabolism, and just generally promoting a strong and healthy body. Water also helps to regulate your appetite, so there are plenty of reasons to drink plenty of water.
- Chew slowly – It’s so easy to get caught up in all the merry chat around the table or room whilst eating, that we end up shovelling food in without even thinking. Being mindful as you eat and chewing your food slowly helps relax the stomach by releasing saliva and allows the food to be passed more easily into the intestines. Apart from improving digestion and the absorption of nutrients, chewing your food longer also has the benefit of giving your body a chance to process the fact that you are eating and consuming food.