Traditionally, holidays were created to break up the doldrums of the dark winter months
Once again, the holiday season is upon us. Traditionally, holidays were created to break up the doldrums of the dark winter months and give us an opportunity to celebrate glorious events and reflect on things bigger than ourselves. Holiday eating is an key part of most of the celebrations.
Worry about over-eating or eating the ‘wrong’ foods is overwhelming the spirit of the holidays.
One of the biggest factors keeping us from thoroughly embracing and enjoying the holiday season is our fear of gaining weight from devouring all the rich foods and fat-laden goodies that are an integral part of the tradition. We carry this worry/guilt (spoken or otherwise) like an invisible weight on our backs through the holidays and it dulls our enjoyment of the moment.
Make a “pre” New Year’s Resolution and gave yourself permission to enjoy the sights, sounds and flavors of the holidays
Holidays are meant to be a change of routine. Why not play with making a “pre” New Year’s Resolution? Give yourself permission to enjoy the sights, sounds and flavors of the holidays. Joyfully eat the holiday meals knowing full well that this is a change of routine and a temporary shift. Step out of your “routine” box and allow yourself to relax and embrace the here and now.
The key is to listen to your body’s wisdom – eat what and when it tells you to eat.
Great advice, in theory, right? But not so easily done in real life. Oftentimes, that little voice within tells us we shouldn’t “scarf that extra cookie”, but we do it anyway.
SPOILER ALERT! This blatant disregard for what your mind is telling you in the moment does not give you carte blanche to spiral into a pit of negative self-talk! If you eat more than you should, be kind to yourself and just accept that you made that choice. Rather than beat yourself up about it or spiral into a dialog of self-shaming, tell yourself that it is temporary, that your body knows what it needs and your inner wisdom will bring you back into balance again. When you choose to ignore or disobey your body’s wisdom, do it with awareness.
Enjoy the holiday festivities but do so with awareness and own your choices.
At times you might eat so much at a holiday gathering that you become gastronomically uncomfortable, moody or feel as if your senses are dulled. Don’t add to the discomfort by feeling guilty.
Notice the discomfort. Learn from it. Trust that it is your body giving you a message. Pain is a way for the body to communicate with us. Denying minor pain or taking drugs to numb pain clouds our ability to hear our bodies.
A more positive and permissive approach is to set your intention to embrace the holiday season without worry or guilt, and to honor your body’s wisdom. Allowing yourself grace and diligently disallowing any negative self-talk is the best path to joyful holiday eating. It helps you to avoid that downward spiral of feeling bad about yourself and robbing yourself of the joys and the opportunities the holiday season has to offer.
Set your intention to embrace the holiday season without worry or guilt, and to honor your body’s wisdom.
Learning to listen to and follow that sensory message is one way your body will assure that the colors, sights, sounds and especially, the tastes of this holiday season remain vivid, distinct, bright and, most of all memorable!
Happy Holidays to you, one and all!
