Holiday Wellness

Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired this holiday season? I notice that many people are not feeling well around me, and at the same time, being a wellness coach, and an expert in relaxation, it breaks my heart that  wellness and stress reduction are the two conversations that fall by the wayside this time of year.

It is a time to connect, to be with friends and family. To eat more, indulge more, but also to go within and examine your life. As the year comes to a close, you may be feeling the impact of the economy, and this may have you coming closer than ever to the people in your life.

How can you be available to people in your life when you are not taking care of you? If you are over-indulging, and still nursing that cold that just won’t go away, what can you do to feel better today, to give yourself the gift of wellness this time of year?

Some ways to cut back on stress, and add to the well-being of the world:

Relax. Especially morning, noon and night. Be mindful of how you start your day. Ease into it. Try to be gentle with yourself if you are not a morning person and go for a walk before you indulge in a pot of coffee. Take time over lunch to sit still, (on your hands, if you must!), and allow the food to digest. This will help in boosting your metabolism, giving you more sustainable energy and relaxing your body the have a more efficient afternoon. In the afternoon, especially 3-6, try to relax even more. Your nervous system and immune system will thank you for  taking a load off at this time of day. You may even solve any insomnia or need to overindulge after dinner. This is a prime time to balance your hormones and give yourself the gift of well-being.Notice how you wind down for the evening–try to avoid the computer or television or too much stimulation before retiring for the night.

Salute the Sun! In the morning, uplift your thoughts and invigorate your body with a series of sun salutations. Check out a class at the Devi Clini in Nashville www.thedeviclinic.com for a yoga class or to learn more about how to relax through yoga and meditation.

Cut out the sugar. There is no excuse for why you should be eating sugar today, while thinking about not doing it tomorrow. If you know it’s not good for you, stop doing it. If you love dessert (as I do), check out my recipes, soon to be updated, for some delicious agave sweetened desserts. Free and clear of allergens and filled with divinely sweet loving nourishment!

Drink water. Before you reach for the cookie jar, check your hydration level. You don’t take your car in for an oil change until it really needs it. Allow sweets to be a treat by giving them to yourself after you are filled up with a satisfying meal. Stay away from eating too many sweets and not enough water. Try water first, then wait a while before you go for the chocolate.

Make good choices. Ok, no one likes to be reminded to eat well, especially this time of year. Most people like to be reminded to indulge with friends, and especially in the company of friends. As you make healthy choices, you may inspire other people to do the same. Imagine if your family loved a healthy meal that you created just for them. Imagine coming home to a healthful home-cooked meal, prepared with love and received with satisfaction. Then, you may not be left feeling the need for the sugar plum fairy before bed!

Call me or email me for a Stress-Reduction Consultation. Can you or someone you know use a little boost in well-being this time of year? Give yourself or your loved ones the gift of relaxation with some yoga, meditation, healthy cooking or health counseling this holiday season. The people in your life will want what you have. You may even want to take better care of you than ever before once people around start to notice how radiant you are. You are worth it to the world to feel well. You are a Divine gift to this world. Take care of you and the world takes care of itself. Be gentle with you this holiday season. Keep coming back to this blog to stay uplifted on your commitment to your radiant life. This life is being created and lived through you, and as you get out of the way and feel better, you are creating radiance.