08 Dec Your End-of-Year ‘Feelgood Toolkit’
December 8th, 2024
The end of the year marks all kinds of opportunity for celebration, fun and memory-making. As a sociable species, this, for many of us means eating and drinking significantly more than at any other time of the year. This has obvious positive and negative effects… so whether you celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, Diwali, Thanksgiving, Hogmanay or a combination of the above, hopefully one or two of the below actionable tips can amplify the good times and minimise the downsides.
Water
Let’s start with the simplest way to stave off the effects of the extra alcohol… and yet by far the most neglected factor at this time of year. Every system in the human body works better when you are properly hydrated. From lessening the strength of a hangover, to increasing your vitality, to managing your hunger levels; sipping a little more will simply make you feel better. Keep a glass or jug visible and make that extra effort to drink up!
A strong start
It’s a great idea to start every day with a positive action towards your goals. A few mobilisations? A large glass of water? A plan for your lunch and dinner? A powerwalk? Starting the day with something which makes you feel mentally and physically healthy can offset any background concerns you might have about that party later being ‘off-plan’.
Having a plan in place will help you make better decisions ‘in the moment’. If it feels like ‘restriction’ then the way you approach it needs a rethink. A plan can mean knowing what you’re having for lunch tomorrow. It can mean knowing that you’re going to alternate your wine with water at the festivities later. It can mean choosing slightly healthier snacks around the house, or thinking up simple, repeatable structure around your food. Shape your environment, as your environment shapes your actions!
Walking
Simple walking is a hugely underrated part of feeling energised at this time of year. If you can regularly get out and stride a little more than normal at this time of year, you will find that it can work wonders for both your physical and mental well-being. It’s very easy to be extra-sedentary with the darker, shorter days, and colder temperatures. Getting out, just for a little while especially with company can be a wonderful addition to your day.
Colourful vegetables
The range of flavours and foodstuffs available at this time of year is more wide, varied and calorific than at any other. Manual restriction and denial is not the answer here. A healthier and more realistic strategy is to resolve to have more vegetables on your plate at every meal, and make the effort to eat them first. You will lose out on none of the delicious variety of the rest of the meal, but you will leave the table feeling more energised, less bloated and with more vitality over the season. In addition, the nutrients you’re getting from your plates are aligned better with what your body needs.
It’s not about ‘perfect’, ‘good’ v ‘bad’ foods or denial! The journey to becoming the best version of yourself needs you to be able to enjoy the occasions that make us look back and smile. Thinking ahead, practicing habits in advance and enjoying the festivities without guilt is the goal for sustainable health, wellness and progress, alongside, not in place of a good party.
For help actionable, realistic and effective help achieving your goal, contact Ayo at: https://www.ayotrainingnutrition.com/contact/