Simple tips for a healthy Festive Season

YAY Christmas!
It’s a time of year when the social calendar is overbooked, heaps of delicious food to consume, late nights and full of family and friends. And on the flip side, it can be a time when stress impacts us and can affect our mind and body. Pressure of any kind, without adequate recovery, can substantially affect your energy levels, resulting in fatigue and feeling overwhelmed and sluggish. Below are some tips that will support your digestion and nervous system this Festive Season.

Eat & Drink This

Juice it up to ease the stress on your body. Add celery, cucumber, lemon, ginger, beetroot and pineapple to your juices to help your body eliminate toxins, reduce fluid retention and help ease bloating. Our digestive system gets a work out around Christmas and New Year so juicing is a simple way reducing stomach discomfort. The added bonus is that it increases your daily fruit and vegetable intake too!
Eat every colour of the rainbow. Think bright red, orange and yellow. These foods are packed with antioxidants that neutralise free radicals which will increase your energy and vitality. Pollution, smoking, drinking alcohol, too many Christmas mince pies and sun exposure can contribute to fatigue so by incorporating seasonal fruit and vegetables like cherries and strawberries you can combat the toxin load naturally.
Stay hydrated. Drink lots of fluids in the form of water, mineral water and herbal teas. My favourites are Chai, Chamomile and Liquorice. Chai is warming to the digestive system which makes it great to have before and after meals. Chamomile is calming for the entire body and Liquorice is an Adaptogen, which can curb sugar cravings. All are great to boost your hydration.

Take This

As a Naturopath I have an array of herbs to build resilience, increase energy levels and keep you calm so that you can enjoy this time of year. They are called Adaptogens and that’s what they do! Help us adapt to the current situation at hand. My favourite herb is called Withania. A perfect herb for those feeling tired and wired at this time of year. It will give you energy when you’re feeling flat and exhausted.
Magnesium is an amazing nutrient. Vital for so many functions in the body. During the Festive Season Magnesium can help you to maintain energy as well as feel calm and relaxed. Enjoy an Epsom salt bath to get a good dose of magnesium or incorporate magnesium rich foods like avocados, bananas, broccoli and salmon.
Reach for the B’s. The festive period requires your vitamin B levels to be at their optimal. Increased alcohol consumption will deplete the body of this vital nutrient and so does stress. When you are feeling drained of energy the B group vitamins will help to boost your energy . Avoiding stimulants such as caffeine, which can drain your energy and deplete vitalising nutrients, will also help.

Hope our festive season tips see you through and help you enjoy a very special time of year, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!!

With gratitude,
Clare (Naturopath)