Give Yourself The Gift Of Health This Christmas!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! This means lots of food, drink and fun! Here are some tips to ensure you are healthy during the festive season.

Tip One: Eat, Drink & Be Merry!

Christmas is the time to celebrate with loved ones, and food is such an important part of how we connect socially. The first tip is not to restrict yourself from all the fantastic food Christmas offers. Try not to beat yourself up if you think you have overindulged. Keep calm and jingle all the way.

Tip Two: Practice Mindful Eating

Mindful eating is the awareness of foods and drinks you put into your body. This involves listening to internal and external cues by listening to our hunger and fullness cues. This will ensure we are nourishing our bodies adequately and reducing overeating.

Tips for practising mindful eating:

• Eat without distractions such as watching the tv or using your phone and focus on the food, including the taste, the texture and how it makes you feel
• Eat slowly and make sure you are chewing your food enough.
• Put your utensils down during bites. This is a great way to listen to your body instead of your plate.

Tip Three: Eat Balanced Meals

• Always fill your plate up with a good source of protein.
• Don’t skip the veggies, as they are an amazing source of fibre that will keep you fuller for longer. They are also jam-packed with antioxidants that help reduce inflammation in the body.
• Don’t skip the carbs either; opt for a lower GI carbohydrate source that will take longer to digest to keep you fuller for longer.

Tip Four: Stay Active

Christmas can throw your routine out. Thinking one step ahead and planning your training days during the silly season can help you stay on track. If you’re in a time crunch, even training a half-session will be beneficial.

Feeling a bit like a stuffed Turkey after Christmas lunch? Go for a walk! Walking helps aid digestion by moving food through the digestive system faster, reducing the feeling of fullness and bloating.

Tip Five: Drink Moderately

Christmas time is usually a boozy time of year. Drinking moderately can be challenging, but there are some great ways to help reduce binge drinking and escape the dreaded hangover.

• Drinking low-alcohol or reduced-strength beer and wine. Get the taste of your favourite beers and wines without the high strength!
• Drinking spritzes. Fill half your glass up with your preferred wine and half-soda water. This reduces the amount of alcohol you are drinking, but you still get a boozy drink that is hydrating and refreshing during our simmering summer Christmas.

Tip Six: Look After Your Mental Health

Chrismas is a joyous time of the year but can also be stressful. It is really important to look after our mental health as much as our physical health. Talking to someone who is trusted is important to help reduce the stress or burden of this time of the year.

Always remember there is extra support as well whenever you need it:

• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
• Butterfly Foundation: 1800 33 4673
• Kid’s Helpline: 1800 55 1800

Tip Seven: Have Fun!

Make some memories! Live in the moment and enjoy this festive season. Let’s make it a December to Remember.

Last but not least, Merry Christmas, Ya Filthy Animal