Holiday Indulgence and Stress-Free Socializing
By Lia Threat
Click aqui para español- >Indulgencia Navideña y socialización sin estrés
December is upon us once again, and it seems like the holiday parties have continued since Halloween! Although the holidays can be a joyful and cheerful time, for many, it is stressful. There are deadlines to meet at work and gifts to rush out and buy, parties to plan, heavy traffic, and the hectic holiday travel. Social and family gatherings may bring anxiety, which ties directly into emotional eating. Here are a few suggestions for coping with the holiday craze:
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Do something that brings you joy– take a brisk walk, connect with a friend, get a massage, journal, exercise. Focus on what makes the holidays special- time with loved ones, family, friends, and good food.
Many people drink alcoholic beverages to make themselves more social and to ease their anxiety. Instead, grab a carbonated non-alcoholic drink or mocktail and find a familiar face. You will be able to connect and avoid getting tipsy too fast on an empty stomach.
Eating with intention and a little planning takes practice but can make get-togethers much more comfortable to navigate. Bring a healthy dish and serve yourself generously. Bringing something homemade will not only serve as a conversation starter, but it can also help to fill you up. By sampling your dish first, you can avoid large servings of calorie-rich items and sweets.
The “winter blues” are real. Low Vitamin D levels can negatively affect our moods and may cause us to seek out foods like sugar that stimulate the “feel good” chemicals in our brain (hello dopamine!).
