How I stay healthy during the festive season
While contemplating what I wanted to share with you this time of year, I was thinking about how our experience of the festive season seems to come in waves. First we see it: the Christmas trees and twinkling lights filling the shopping centres (sometimes far too early!) and then there’s decorations in the streets, letting us know the holiday season is just around the corner.
And then we hear it. The sound of buskers on the streets playing Jingle Bells and Silent Night, as well as the Christmas carols playing in the shops while we wander the aisles in search of the gifts that will show our loved ones we care, or have at least given it a bit of thought.
The final wave brings the smells and tastes of it all, and by this stage, we know that the holiday season is all around us. There is nothing quite like the smell of home cooking (as opposed to our usual busy way of making quick meals), or the warming aroma of freshly baked ginger biscuits in the kitchen.
As another busy year now draws to a close, I feel that I have much to be grateful for. We have had an amazing year at Her Heart. I have been privileged to work with some truly inspirational staff and we have created a number of partnerships that help service our mission and are aligned with our values.
On a personal level, I am looking forward to catching up with friends and family that we haven’t seen for a while. But what I especially like is exchanging thoughtful gifts with the people we love, and of course indulging in delicious food and the occasional glass of sparkling! But I also recognise that for many of us this time is incredibly busy, for those with kids there has been school break ups, for others work Christmas parties, as well as fitting in last minute shopping and catch ups with family and friends. Quite frankly, it can all become a bit much, as it leaves us little time to do the things that keep us calm and healthy.
Over the years I have tried many things to help pace myself, some have worked and others haven’t. I thought that I might share a few here that have allowed me to maximise spending with friends and family, without feeling completely burnt out come Boxing Day.
First, I make sure that early in December I don’t over schedule things, and keep to any routines that I usually have. I also designate days where I know I’ll have time to myself, to do the things that keep me balanced. So, some things are critical and starting the day with meditation is one of them. I try to do this twice a day, first thing in the morning and if possible again later in the day. A second thing is my daily walk. I will always walk outside (and close to nature) as opposed to getting on our treadmill. This “me time” is so important. As I’ve spoken about in previous blogs, if we prioritise looking after others all the time, we become increasingly stressed and our batteries soon run flat.
Second, is to get organised. I use my phone calendar for both personal and professional meetings plus any catch ups and appointments – as I really couldn’t cope with two calendars. I know people have said that I should also use a hard copy diary (in case of a malfunction with my calendar) but to be honest adding another layer of documentation would be hopeless. The only thing I do differently is at home. We have a whiteboard on the back of the pantry door and we all have a different coloured pen to note down the family commitments. It’s been a blessing, as we can see who is in and out, who is there for dinner and what functions are on. Of course nothing is ever perfect, but you are better able to manage multiple commitments if you have some systems in place.
The third thing is making sure I get enough sleep. Not only is it important for our overall energy levels but multiple studies from America have also shown that sleep can have enormous impact on many things, especially our appetite. So being short on sleep dulls the brain’s activity and affects decision making and impulse control. Lack of sleep also leads to increased cravings for energy dense – nutrient poor – foods, such as those high in saturated fat (think doughnuts, burgers, fries). Combine the poor decision making with cravings for junk food and voilà! We have a recipe for disaster, especially when we are rushing out to work parties or schools break-ups where there always seems to be an abundance of delicious food. So this festive season, do yourself a favour, get between seven and nine hours sleep!
The fourth thing is exercise, which is something that I have pushed up my priority list this year. I think when we have a lot going on in our lives, and we are struggling for time, one of the first things we cut out is exercise which is counter-productive. I have a variety of excuses I tell myself when I’m feeling a bit unmotivated or busy, but I’ve realised that when I’m feeling this way, doing some physical activity is exactly what I need! Regular exercise has so many benefits; it has a calming effect on the body, over time reduces your heart rate, blood pressure and overall risk of a heart attack, lowers your cholesterol levels, and even reduces the risk of osteoporosis. But in relation to the holiday season, fitting in some regular exercise will also help with curbing your appetite, as well as help control your weight, and importantly exercise promotes good mental health. Many studies have shown exercise helps with stress levels and depression in a range of ways. While we are exercising we are distracted from negative thoughts or daily worries, and after exercise the stress levels are reduced by an increase in the “good” hormones serotonin and endorphins, making us feel more relaxed and positive. Exercising with others can also be a social event, but if you’re like me, it can also be used as “me time”. Maybe try and think about how you can fit in some exercise, whether you are going outside for a brisk walk in the cold or if you are in a warmer climate then it might be an opportunity to get out with family or friends for a bike ride or walk.
Finally, I just want to say how important it is that we don’t forget to be joyful and grateful at this time of year! While I have shared how I try to maintain routines and healthy habits, how I keep organised, get enough sleep and keep up my physical activity, I do this because they really help keep me balanced. However, we don’t want to lose perspective and it’s equally important to practice gratitude. I write down 3 things that I am grateful for every night before bed and if I forget then I go through them in my head before going to sleep!
I wish you all good health and warmest wishes for the festive season! Please let me know how you manage things during the holiday season. If you think that some of the information would be useful to your friends and family, please share this via your social media on the links below. Please visit us on www.herheart.org.au, or connect with us via Facebook, Instagram or on Twitter.