happy holidays from stressed to blessed

Imagine a holiday season where you experience greater peace and well-being (no this isn’t an oxymoron). It is already within you and ready to be actualized!

This time of the year there is a whole lot of list making going on. We make lists for presents to give and cards to send and all the while we maintain our regular “life list.” Ask yourself; where are you on your “life list” right now? Did you make the top ten on your list or do you fall somewhere between cleaning the bathrooms and organizing the garage?

Let’s start with our eating plan. Having a plan is a key to healthy holiday eating and diet success. Because of the increased pace of life this time of the year, we can help to buffer the endless buffets and continuous trays of sugar cookies.

You may have noticed that sugar cravings rise when stress is up. We can help curb the sweet tooth by fortifying our bodies and brains with whole foods rich in magnesium, zinc, B vitamins, and essential fats. The body’s blood levels of these powerful stress fighting and body/mind balancing nutrients are the first to go down under stress. With that, so goes down emotional resilience, positive outlook, and immune strength. So to navigate well through both expected and unexpected stress, plan with these foods:

Whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa and oatmeal; nuts and seeds like almonds, walnuts, flax and sunflower seeds; legumes and beans like soy  and pinto; crucifers like broccoli and cauliflower; wild halibut and salmon and sea vegetables like dulse, arame and kombu.

mix1 can also be a great go-to, to keep you on track with a healthy eating plan as you rush between the office, the mall, home and the gym -9 antioxidant rich superfoods are in each mix1 shake 

Please do not spare the Vitamin C. Both your objective and subjective experience of stress will be better if you keep up with your C. We often limit our thinking of Vitamin C to just our immune systems, however, Vitamin C is a critical building block for emotional wellness too! Vitamin C levels are 15 times higher in the brain than in the rest of the body and are instrumental in the production of key chemical messengers that help with focus, memory, positive mood and clarity while under stress. Delicious “sources of C” include:

       Red chili peppers, mango, guavas, collard greens, kale (yes, kale-you know you crave it under stress), bell peppers, kiwi and citrus fruits.
 
       Another bonus for grabbing a mix1 when in need is getting 25% of your RDI of vitamin C in each shake, plus 22 more vitamins and minerals

Aside from these helpful food hints, there are other creative ways to handle the stress of the season. If the mere thought of the increased traffic during this time of year - whether it be on the freeway or the “check out” line - initiates shallow breathing and contempt for fellow “travelers,” consider bringing along the comforting companion of aromatherapy. Aromatherapy works with the part of your brain that deals with emotional stressors and can help to bring quick and effective calm in most any storm. For example, you are convinced that ALL traffic signals are personally conspiring against you or you find yourself getting a little testy when you begin to count and judge others in your lane with more than “12 items or less”. This is where aromatherapy can come in handy. 

For anxiety: Basil, Bergamot, Cedarwood and Chamomile.

For stress: Clary Sage, Frankincense, Lavender and Patchouli

For mild depression: Rosemary, Rose, Lemon, and Sandalwood.

For insomnia: Lavender, Neroli, Marjoram and Chamomile.

Give to your self first. Create a window for daily wellness and self love every day. Be open and aligned with your needs during this seasonal time of “over-doing” and under-you-ing.” Now, the best for last…

Laughter is quite possibly the simplest and most enjoyable way to strengthen your immune system. Lighten your emotions and at the same time give this “gift” to others by sharing a smile and laughter. A genuine smile is shown to increase immune supportive antibodies. This will help to keep you well throughout the holidays. Laughter raises both disease fighting T-cell and natural killer cell activity for you and those sharing your joy. Imagine, bringing “joy to your world”, and to the world all around you…you are a catalyst for peace on earth.