Before you read anything in this post, the single most important thing you can do to keep you and your family healthy is to get adjusted to remove subluxations in your spine to allow your body to heal and function perfectly from the inside out.
Continue reading only if you have done the above first!!!!!
1. Focus on activities rather than indulgences.
If there is snow this year, go sledding, build snow people, and have snowball fights rather than baking yet another batch of cookies. When indoors in the evening, play with the kids on the floor or work on a puzzle, hobby, or craft rather than numbing out with food and television. Put on music and dance or sway as you clean the house. Create new, active traditions for the holidays.
2. Get outdoors… for anything! (With good posture, of course)
Even if it is simply to stand on the front step and take several deep breaths, do it (with your shoulders back and down and your belly pulled in). Admire the stars and moon for a few minutes out in the cold, fresh air. Bundle up and take a family walk – no sweat required.
3. Eat your veggies.
This time of year ends up being a flour, sugar, and candy fest. Turn your diet (and energy and teeth and waistline) around to the positive side by eating more fresh, roasted, steamed, or smashed vegetables. Eat the most colorful plants, such as sweet potatoes, winter squash, beets, leafy greens, broccoli, and carrots.
4. Find your zen.
Ditch one obligation this year for something that brings you joy and peace.
5. Imbibe consciously.
Enjoy the alcoholic beverages at the holiday parties yet stick to 1-2 drinks rather than 3, 4, 5, 6….
6. Do a random act of kindness.
Do something simply for the pleasure of being nice to someone, not expecting any thanks or glory in return. It is like a massage for your soul…feels great.
7. Read something longer than a tweet or FB post.
Curl up on the sofa with a blanket and a book and use the time to escape from reality in a healthy, fun way.
8. Breathe deeply.
Deep breaths can calm you down in a stressful situation or perk you up when you need some energy… all for free and calorie-free!
9. Touch someone.
Hugs, kisses, and cuddles all stimulate feel-good hormones. Know someone who lives alone? Next time you see that person, give him or her an extra long hug.
10. Drink more water.
When the temperature drops we often forget to keep the water flowing. Drink up! Herbal tea counts, too.
11. Supplement your diet thoughtfully.
Fish oil (for those heart and brain healthy omega 3s), vitamin D, and probiotics (the good critters found in fermented foods) are a perfect baseline for everyone. Get your vitamins and minerals mostly from eating real fruits and vegetables, yet if you know you aren’t hitting the mark, use a “green” drink (best choice) or a multi-vitamin pill (second best choice), too.
12. Floss your teeth.
Did you know that the bacteria found along the gums can enter your bloodstream, trigger an immune response, then contribute to plaquing of the arteries? Oh, no! Floss that bacteria away every day.