I love getting small tips and ideas to improve healthy living, and are excited to share a couple of my own tips on how to have a Christmas with no stress. We have to buy Christmas presents and shop for groceries. We attend or host Christmas parties, are present at our kids or grandkids school events, and at church. Maybe you also need the last minute Christmas decorations for the dinner table.
On top of that, you probably also have to work. No wonder Christmas can be a little stressfull.
That is why now is the perfect time to pay extra attention to what your body is telling you. And remember, it’s okay to say no thanks to a Christmas get-together!
Support your immune system
Often, when you have been stressed for a period of time, and then you suddenly are off work for a few days, many people are coming down with a cold or stomach bug. It is simply because the body has been exposed to unnecessary stress which is resulting in a compromised immune system.
Christmas should be a time of joy with family and friends without any stress – and especially without illness.
Here are my tips for a stress-free Christmas:
Supplements
To help support your immune system, I recommend taking Vitamin C, Vitamin D which have a lot of antioxidants which is exactly what your immune system needs. But also your digestive health needs support, as 70% of the immune system is found in this digestive system. This requires a good probiotic product.
Echinacea drops are another “must have” especially in the winter. As soon as you feel a cold or flu coming, just take approx. 50 drops in a glass of water, 3-5 times a day – it works wonders.
Silence and breathing
Take deep breaths – all the way down to your stomach, for 3-5 minutes. It helps to reduce stress and bring you back into balance. Your body needs to be in balance and in a “no stress” zone. When you do your deep breaths, make sure you have silence around you.
Silence and breathing support both your nervous system, immune system as well as your cardio vascular system.
It also provides renewed energy and clarity.
The benefits from breathing exercises is especially great support for the Vagus nerve, which connects most functions in the body.
I use a device, Coherence Coach, which is super easy and very effective to help me stay in balance. It measures your HRV (heart rate variability), not to be confused with heart rhythm. An app is included so you can track your progress.
Here is a short video
Divide and conquer
Are you hosting Christmas dinner or Christmas Day, don’t be shy to ask your guests to help out. Have them bring a starter, a dessert, a salad for the main course, drinks, etc.
It is less stress for you, and you share the expenses too.
You are also more likely to enjoy your guests when you are not stressed out about all the cooking.
In Denmark we always celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve, and I always bring my popular “Colorful holiday salad”.
Fresh air
The Holidays often results in too much food and drinks that we usually don’t consume.
This can interfere with your digestion, and you may experience either loose stools or constipation (sorry).
Make sure to support your gut health as mentioned in Tip No. 1, and make an effort to go for a walk every day. Preferably for 30 minutes or more. It helps to keep your bowl movement along, and the fresh air it is probably beneficial for your head too.
Gratitude
Christmas time is a perfect time to show gratitude. Although it is something we should practice all year round, this is usually the time of year reminded of how much we have to be grateful for.
I suggest you write down at least 5 things every day you are grateful for
If you don’t already have a Gratitude journal, you can still add it to your wish list.
If you for some reason haven’t gotten my free e-book on “My Seven Steps To Optimal Health”, you can get it here. It will help you understand why all Seven Steps are important to implement in your everyday lifes❤️
