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Welcome to the December issue of the LaVida Health Newsletter. LaVida Health Services - Naturopathy In this Issue
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Well, the "silly season" is in full swing and, no doubt, many of you are counting the days until things slow down, the Christmas parties are behind you and you can have a few days of well earned rest....perhaps even a holiday! Rich food, alcohol, stress and holidays....a recipe for illness This time of year is a particularly vulnerable one for our health. Many of us are already tired and run down at the end of a busy and stressful year. Throw on top of that the extra burden of Christmas...shopping, organising, the pressure of trying to catch up with family and friends, the Christmas deadlines etc etc etc and you can see why our stress levels go up even more. And because we are busier than normal perhaps we drop our exercise and relaxation routines which normally help us to stay sane and healthy. Then throw in a diet of rich food and extra alcohol and you can see where this is heading. Exhaustion and stress depress the immune system. Over-indulging in rich food, extra treats and alcohol has the effect of depressing our immune system even more, depletes our vitamin and mineral levels and increases the burden on our already overworked livers. Then if you are lucky enough to have a holiday, often the first thing that happens is you get sick. If this is your pattern, it's never too late to implement some preventative strategies. I've listed some tips below... The tips for survival are common sense really. When it comes to alcohol, try to plan ahead . If you know you have a few engagements coming up which are likely to involve having a few drinks then look forward to them but try to avoid "unnecessary" alcohol in the meantime. Schedule your AFDs in advance so you don't suddenly realise that you have had a drink every day for the last week or more. When you are enjoying a drink, in order to minimize your alcohol intake, remember to watch the size of your drink. We tend to drink more if we drink out of larger glasses so look for smaller glasses or only half fill them and make sure they are empty before accepting a refill. Consider drinking lower alcohol options such as spritzers, light beers and lower alcohol wines. (Wine can vary in alcohol content between 8 and 14% which can make a huge difference to your alcohol intake). Remember to alternate an alcoholic drink with water to remain hydrated and help you to reduce your overall intake. Try to "earn" your indulgences. If you know your are likely to indulge at a particular event, be extra good with your diet on the days beforehand or do some extra exercise. When you are presented with the dining table laden with food take only a small portion and give yourelf permission to go back for seconds ...if you really need it. Try to wait before returning to the buffet to allow your brain to register whether you are still hungry or actually quite full as it take a while for the brain to catch up to the stomach. Learn to say "no" and know your limits (in food, alcohol and late nights). Your body will thank you and it is great for your self esteem to know you exercised some control. If you do overdo things, extra B vitamins and lots of water will help. Juices can also give you that extra vitamin and mineral boost you need when you are pushed to the limit. Choose any combination of beetroot, ginger, carrot, celery apple, lemon or watermelon. What is the point of indulging in those special Christmas treats if you are just going to feel guilty about it! That just makes any negative effects of your actions even worse. Give yourself permission to enjoy what is on offer. The trick is to really savour every mouthful. Really notice the flavour and aroma of your food and drink. Indulge mindfully and consciously so that you avoid the situation where you realise you have overdone it only after the event. And if you do realise you are overdoing it just stop (it's never too late), acknowledge your lapse, forgive yourself for being human and resolve some strategies to be better next time.
January is a wonderful time to "clean up your act" and kick start a healthier lifestyle with a detox. It is a great way to improve your digestive function, support your liver and perhaps even lose a few kilos. A detox can help you to feel and look fresher and improve your energy levels. Often, it also improves many underlying chronic health conditions. I can put together a detox programme to suit your needs and objectives consisting of dietary suggestions, herbs and nutritional supplements. It may only need to be a couple of weeks long and it doesn't have to involve fasting or only eating "rabbit food". If your resolutions include implementing a healthier lifestyle or losing some bad habits, lifestyle and dietary advice along with herbal and nutritional support can be extremely beneficial in helping you achieve your goals. So, I hope these tips help you to enjoy the holiday season this year. Remember plan ahead, "earn" your treats and enjoy them mindfully and without guilt. I wish you a happy, safe and restful festive season with your loved ones and a healthy and invigorating 2009. Thank you to all my clients for your ongoing support this past year. I look forward to being of service to you in 2009 and helping you to achieve and maintaing your health goals. I am taking a "well-earned break" myself, and will be back on deck from the 5th of January so, if you haven't already done so, please call for an appointment if you would like to kick start your New Year with a detox or some restorative treatments to help you sail through 2009. In good health, Back to Top |
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