HAVE A HAPPY, HEALTHY DECEMBER!

Happy December here's 5 tips to stay happy and healthy this month

Set realistic expectations - real life isn't like the movies where they have a picture perfect run up to Christmas and the perfect day with family. The run up can be stressful, the financial aspects can cause pressure, spending time with family can be hard. Take a moment each day to find something you are grateful for. During the festivities even in the less than perfect circumstances connect with your friends and family with gratitude and joy.

Don't over commit - December is a busy month, work do's, school events, the big day and new year. Some people love a full calendar over Christmas, some don't. Decide how you want your calendar to look this month. Only say yes to the things you really want to do, the things that feed your soul and not the things that drain you.

Practice self care - sometimes no matter how hard you try you may end up in moments when you feel under pressure, you may over commit, you may have unbalanced expectations - these things can and do happen, but you do have the power to lessen the negative effects, HOW I hear you say - by taking time for yourself! I know the natural reaction is to think "but that's another thing to do on my long to do list" I get it I'm the same! But as the great saying goes you can't pour from an empty cup. Self care time doesn't have to be anything extravagant - just 5 minutes will help you. Try to re-frame your thoughts on self care, think of it as your anti-stress, anti-pain, anti-anxiety and calming, happy, healthy promoting medicine. Here's how easy it can be:

Wake 15 minutes earlier than the rest of the household and have quite time before the day begins. Grab a hot drink, read something positive.
Sit quietly and focus on your breathing
Spend time with an uplifting friend
Talk - if you are feeling stressed or need to vent let it out. You will feel so much better and have so much more clarity on situations once the stuff is out of your head.

Feed your bodies healing abilities - our bodies know how to heal, they do it all the time - when the body is balanced. Symptoms of ill health (lack of healing) are a sign that your body is out of balance. There are lots of things that knock your body out of balance - stress, high sugar foods, high carb foods, alcohol, too much caffeine, inadequate sleep.

If you give you body what it needs - high quality unprocessed food, adequate hydration and rest you are feeding health enabling your body to heal and be balanced. Give your body junk food, alcohol, stimulants such as caffeine and lack of sleep and you are limiting that healing ability. I know I sound like a party pooper but it's all about balance, go all out on Christmas day and boxing day, but have a few days of giving your body more good stuff afterwards, before new years eve arrives. When you do go all out here's how to apply some damage limitation:

Don't go out hungry - have something protein rich on the way - a nakd bar, a smoothie etc
Don't drink alcohol on an empty stomach
Add something healthy that you love to your festive feasts
Eat mindfully and if you're going to have a treat enjoy it - savour every second

Get outside in nature - we all feel better when we get outside. Dr Chaterjee (amazing GP who turned to lifestyle medicine to help his son and now his patients) talks about the power of fractals - geometric shapes we only see in nature - when we look at these our stress levels reduce! On top of that you're getting lovely fresh air, and you're moving!

I Hope those tips help you to have a Happy, Healthy & Pain Free Christmas and New Year!

Emma x

p.s. If you're wondering if Acupuncture could help you, why not come along for one of our FREE Can Acupuncture Help Me Consultations which can be booked online here https://theacupuncturelounge.janeapp.com/

16th December, 2019