The holiday season is upon us, and between trips to the store, time with family and friends, and managing a packed schedule, getting worn down is a real possibility. When you get worn down, your immune response and gut health can take a beating… and the last thing you want during the holidays is to feel sick, tired, or — gasp! — uncomfortably bloated!
So how do you set yourself up for a healthy, happy, holiday season? Read on.
Stay On Track
While it might be tempting to stay up late watching holiday movies or wrapping gifts, try to stick to your regular bedtime. An occasional late night shouldn’t do too much harm, but our gut health (and overall health) is best supported with regular, restorative sleep.
Also try to keep meal times as close to normal as possible, and do your best not to overeat. Overeating asks your body to work harder in order to process the food, and it will already be taxed from the hustle and bustle of the season.
Have Fun
Sure, there’s a lot of “work” involved in prepping for the holidays, but don’t forget there’s a lot of fun to be had, too. From watching a funny movie in front of a crackling fire to going sledding with your family, make sure to take time to laugh, connect, and experience all that the season has to offer. Bonus points if you do something fun as your workout for the day!
Consider Beefing Up Your Supplement Intake
Being around a lot of people at stores, parties, and events means more opportunities to pick up germs. Keeping your gut healthy can help keep your immune response up, so be sure to eat lots of prebiotic and probiotic foods. Want even more support? Synbiotic 365 nourishes your microbiome and rebalances your gut’s ecosystem, helping to support your immune response and promote the creation of natural antibodies to keep you healthy.
Drink Water
Water keeps your system flushed and your digestive tract lubricated and moving smoothly. So this holiday season, as you’re eating foods and drinking beverages your body isn’t used to, give it the gift of water. Water helps break down food so your body can absorb nutrients, and it can help process troublesome foods, sending them more swiftly through your system. Water is also essential if you’re warming up near a fire, enjoying physical exercise outdoors, or spending time inside, where the air is drier during the colder months.
The type of water you drink doesn’t matter, as long as you’re careful to avoid sugars or unhealthy additives. You can even pour yourself a fancy glass of sparkling water, which is just as hydrating as still water.
Get Rest and Manage Stress
It may seem impossible to avoid stress during the holidays, but you should go after this goal like it’s your job.
We know that the gut and the brain are intimately connected (thanks to the gut-brain axis), so when one is in peril, it’s very possible the other will be too. If you’re stressed and are not getting enough rest, your gut health — and everything connected to it! — could suffer. Check out these tips for reducing stress, and don’t forget to schedule in snooze time, too.
Feeling bloated and uncomfortable after a meal? Give these yoga poses for digestion a try to calm your system and increase circulation to your digestive tract. Then, try to go take a short nap.
Bonus Tip 1: Wash Your Hands Often
The CDC recommends washing your hands with soap and clean, running water for 20 seconds. Hand sanitizers work if you don’t have soap and water available, but washing is best if you can. Keep those germs running down your sink drain instead of having a holiday party of their own on your hands.
Bonus Tip 2: Sip Something Nourishing
Instead of downing sugar-laden beverages, try a gut-nourishing (and super delicious) warm drink. This Coconut Pumpkin Cinnamon Latte is as tasty as it is healthy, so whip up a mug and sip with confidence that you’re doing something good for your health.
Happy Holidays to you and yours! We wish you health and happiness all season — and all year — long.
Your NatureM.D. Wellness Team
