Staying Healthy Over The Holidays
By Grace Galliott
Christmas is coming! Are you ready?
Or perhaps you’re already secretly dreading January?
Don’t worry!
Here are my top tips to help you survive the season:
1. Enjoy yourself - but don't go mad
We tend to go overboard on the indulgences at Christmas.
It’s often an excuse to binge on sugar, alcohol and fatty foods. This not only puts a huge strain on the liver, but it also suppresses our immune system. So we’re much more likely to get sick when the Equinox hits on the 22nd December.
My advice is to treat yourself when you really fancy something. Don’t go nuts everyday just because it’s Christmas!
That extra mince pie or chocolate will come back to haunt you in January when you’ve gained 5-10 pounds and find yourself craving sugar all the time.
A good guide is to focus on 80% healthy eating and 20% unrestricted.
2. Make time to relax
The Christmas season is hectic with so much to do. Presents to buy, parties to attend, cooking and organising... It can be hard to find time to stop.
If you do though, your body will thank you!
So get get to that yoga class. Find 20 minutes for a guided meditation (YouTube has some great ones!) Or perhaps take an adrenal support like ATP Science Cort RX or schedule a massage or relaxing treatment.
Even just doing some nasal breathing for a few minutes or taking a epsom salt bath can be enough to slow down and take some time for yourself.
If you're still struggling to chill, why not click here to book a rebalancing session.
It also makes a great gift for a partner or friend!
3. Watch your spending
We shouldn't spend money we don't have at Christmas.
It can get really silly and stressful. There’s no need to go into debt for one day of the year. So think carefully about what you spend and set yourself a realistic budget.
This year I’m creating magical gift boxes to your budget! Tell me a bit about your loved one and I’ll create a custom-made present. Click here to tell me what you need.
And remember - it is also ok to put presence over presents! Giving time is always more valuable than a gift.
4. Supplement with magnesium
Especially if you’re planning on having a sugar binge this Christmas!
Most of us are magnesium depleted so supplementing will help.
Here are some of the benefits of taking a magnesium supplement:
Increased energy: Magnesium activates adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the body, which helps to create energy in the body.Better sleep: A deficiency in magnesium may be to blame for insomnia and trouble sleeping. Taking a supplement can help slow your hear rate, relax your muscles, and quiet a racing mind
Reduced muscle aches: If you’ve been experiencing muscle aches or spasms, a supplement may assist in relaxing them, as magnesium plays a vital role in neuromuscular signals and contractions.
Improved heart health: The majority of magnesium in the body is stored within the heart’s left ventricle. Working alongside calcium, it regulates blood pressure levels and prevents hypertension.
Controlled migraines: If you suffer from migraines, a magnesium supplement may be your saving grace. Magnesium plays a role in blood circulation and neurotransmitter function and can help control pain by releasing pain-reducing hormones and constricting blood vessels.
Improved digestion: Muscles within the digestive tract, including the intestinal wall, are relaxed by magnesium, which improves digestion, as well as counterbalances stomach acid and advances stools through the intestines.
General relaxation: If nerves get the best of you, you’ll be pleased to hear that magnesium is essential in hormone regulation, including releasing serotonin (the “happy” hormone), promoting relaxation, and calming the mind.
We also highly recommend floatation!
If you haven’t experienced this before, you relax in a warm tank filled with magnesium salts.
Not only do you feel complete bliss as you float, magnesium absorption will replenish you and leave you feeling amazing!
Click here to check out The Floatation Room.
Again, another great gift idea if you’re looking for something a bit different!