Christmas Treats Giving You The Sugar Blues? Get Through the Holidays With Your Waist Intact

With Christmas just around the corner, the sugar season is in full swing.  We’ve got cookie exchanges, office parties and family dinners to look forward to (or not).  So, how are we going to keep off unwanted pounds without depriving ourselves of all those Christmas treats?  Learn my go to holiday health tips to keep you feeling good going into the New Year!

Make A Switch

We don’t want to deny ourselves the pleasure of all those tasty treats, especially when it comes to the season of hors d’ oeuvres and desserts.   So, we tell ourselves that we will spend extra time in the gym or starve ourselves before the party in order to justify a splurge. But what we really need is a holiday mindset makeover.  Here are a few simple mind switches to make this holiday season: 

Deprivation

Instead of thinking you will deprive yourself of flavor and enjoyment when you pass by the triple decker, deluxe, death by chocolate cake. Think of the diabetes, heart disease, heart burn, joint pain and mood swings you will not have to worry about. Yes, you will be depriving yourself of a life of pain and suffering, but I’m guessing you’d be okay with that. 

Click here to read, “Sugar And Cancer – How One Affects The Other.”

Flavor

You don’t have to eat the whole cake to enjoy the flavor. Choose smaller serving sizes. You still get the mouth feel, pleasure and taste but with fewer calories which means less weight gain. 

Click here to read, “Sugar – Are you singing the sugar blues?”

Balance

Healthy behaviors don’t make up for unhealthy behaviors. There isn’t a scale where you put broccoli on one side and balance it with sugar on the other side. Healthy actions won’t erase the consequences of unhealthy actions. Exercise because it makes you feel good and energized. Not because you want to binge at the cookie exchange. Engage in intermittent fasting because it reduces inflammation in your body. Not because you want to save up all your calories for pigging out at a party.  

Click here to read, “How Processed Sugar Destroys Your Body.”

Health Tips For The Holidays!

Now that we’ve changed our minds about a few things, here are some tips to getting through the season with your health intact: 

1. Plan Ahead

You know what to expect, so plan how you will respond; write it down and say it out loud.  

2. Use Positive Language

Instead of saying, “I won’t eat the death by chocolate cake,” say, “I will eat two or three bites of the death by chocolate if I feel like it.”

Your brain doesn’t register negative words, so when framed in the negative, it will just hear death by chocolate cake and you will end up eating the whole thing. When framing it positively, the brain will hear two or three bites of cake and it will be easier for you to stick to a smaller serving as you and your brain will be on the same page. 

3. Change What You Can

If your friends want to do a cookie exchange, suggest a fun sock, holiday mug, or ornament exchange instead. It’s just as much fun, a whole lot less work and easier on the waistline. If you get to bring a dish to share, choose something without added sugar because there will be plenty of people bringing dessert. 

Now you are all set to enjoy the holidays with all the flavors, textures and fun!  Be sure to check out Family Health Advocacy daily in order to see today’s tasty holiday treat that’s also healthy as part of our 12 Day’s of Holiday inspired natural health recipes.

For more information click here to read, “Finally Quit Your Sugar Addiction With These Top Tips.”

A Fun Way To Beat Depression & Anxiety!

mental health benefits from playing sports

How many times have you heard, “You should exercise! It helps you lose weight!”?  There’s no doubt that physical activity is great for your health and well-being.  It strengthens your coordination.  It helps you to accomplish daily tasks and helps you have a better posture.  There are obvious physical benefits from playing and participating in sports.  However, there’s more good news; playing sports can positively affect your mental health too.

Feeling Stressed?

When we are stressed or we have negative feelings, physical activity is recommended as a good antidote.  A kind of natural antidepressant.  Indeed, it would evacuate our black ideas as if by magic!  There’s a reason why we say “Go get some fresh air.  It will calm you down”.  So, let’s find out why exactly this is.

Some researches show that a brisk walk helps to increase our positive emotions which in turn decrease our negative emotions.  Ten minutes of brisk walking would be the equivalent to ninety minutes of well-being.  So, finding an activity to practice each day (or at least four times a week) will make you feel better both physically and mentally.

How To Naturally Overcome Depression & Anxiety?

When it comes to depression or strong anxiety, physical activity improves intellectual capacity and mood!  Thus, in certain states of chronic fatigue, we wouldn’t prescribe rest but rather physical exercise.  This would create a flow of energy and optimism! Exercise can also serve as a distraction.  Allowing you to find some quiet time to break out of the cycle of negative thoughts that feed depression.  Click here to read, “5 Natural Solutions For Coping With Stress!”

Moreover, it promotes several changes in the brain including neural growth, less inflammation and releases endorphins .  These are chemicals in your brain that cope with pain or stress.  In addition to all of that, there are other amazing benefits.

Physical activity contributes to:

  • Increased longevity
  • Strengthened immune system
  • Reduced risk of cancer
  • Decreased risk of diabetes and increased insulin sensitivity
  • Sexual wellness
  • Improved sleep quality

Click here to read, “5 Ways To Heal The Mind & Body By Using This One Oil!”

Exercise – A Natural Booster For Self-Esteem!

Yes, exercising helps you fall asleep faster and get into a deep sleep.  And we all know that a good night of sleep helps us with our performance at work but also improves our mood.  You know what one of my favorite benefits of working out is?  Self-esteem!  Exercising regularly can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem.

As your strength, skills, and stamina increase through playing sports/exercising, your self-image will improve as well.  However, even if exercising is good, doing it voluntarily while savoring these moments is better!

Do not impose something on yourself.  Studies have shown that mental presence in exercise affects our psychological state.  Being aware of the ‘goods’ exercise provides when you perform it will be much more profitable.

Do Not Force It!

Regularity is more important than the intensity of the effort.  If all goes well, you will see changes in both your physical and mental health after eight weeks.  Patience is the key word!  Don’t forget, whatever you decide to do, do it with a smile!

For more information on how to improve your life and well-being, click here to read, “Wellness – 6 Essentials for a Vibrant Life”.