Can you believe that the holiday season is fast approaching? Time seems to go faster each year, but that is all the more reason to slow down, be present in the moment, and enjoy each day and the season to the fullest. Take time each day to pray and practice gratitude for all your blessings. Participating in Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays at St. Therese is a good opportunity to slow down, pray, meditate, talk with God, and embrace silence. Taking time from the “busyness” of your everyday life will calm your mind and give you a sense of peace. Take the opportunity to enjoy each day with the people you love and make a conscious effort to care for your mental and physical health.
Taking care of your physical health during the holiday season can be a challenge. The cold weather often deters us from walking outside and engaging in other outdoor activities, leading us to want to snuggle up at home and not exercise as we do in nice weather. Make a conscious effort to maintain some type of exercise in the cold months, be it working out at a gym, participating in the St. Therese Stretch and Strength classes, walking around a mall or store, or just stretching or exercising at home.
During the holiday season, it can be hard to resist indulging in treats at family and friends’ gatherings, but if you follow some tips, you will enjoy healthy nutrition and maintain your weight:
- Eat breakfast. Studies show that people who eat breakfast consume fewer calories throughout the day.
- Plate it. Putting food on a plate rather than “grazing” at a party helps you be more mindful of what you are eating and how much.
- Portion control. Grab a smaller plate to help manage the temptation to pile on more than you need.
- Try new foods and drinks. There are many new foods and snacks available at the stores that are healthier than our old “standbys.” Read the labels before you buy food, and choose wisely.
- Drink lots of water and avoid caloric drinks.
- Start with veggies. Eat a few healthy vegetables first to curb your appetite.
- Choose proteins. Nuts, low-fat dairy, legumes, and lean meat in healthy portions will help you feel full.
- Skip it. If you don’t love it, don’t eat it!
- Slow down. It takes your brain time to register that you are full, so slow down and enjoy each bite.
- Wait before eating “seconds.” If you wait 10 minutes, you’ll feel fuller, and the temptation to have a second helping will pass.
- Focus on a few bites. The first bites are the most satisfying, so enjoy and savor them without thinking that you need to eat everything on your plate.
- Be a little brave. Experiment with new flavors and seasonings; you might find some new, healthy traditions.
- Share your good health and eating habits with others. If you are trying to eat better and maintain a healthier lifestyle, chances are your family and friends are, too. If you are preparing dinner or hosting a party, put time and effort into selecting and preparing healthier foods that include more protein, fewer carbohydrates, and less fat. Avoid fried and high-calorie foods, and substitute sweets and desserts for fruit.
Reference:
- The Church Health Reader. Fall 2019.
