Holiday eating should be happy and fun, not stressful! Yet so many of my friends and clients find themselves fraught with anxiety over holiday meals and parties. In this post, I demystify and simplify holiday eating by posing three questions so you can find more clarity and take back your happy holidays! As always, generalizations are generic, so if you have a specific concern that I didn’t cover here, please make sure you reach out and ask!
Who are the people I want to celebrate with?
Contrary to family tradition and common stereotypes, you actually can be selective of the company you keep, even over the holidays. Don’t let your sense of obligation allow anyone awful to ruin the festivities. Talk to your loved ones and ensure that they hear your concerns and have your comfort in mind. If you can’t negotiate with your family, you may need to set up an alternative gathering with people who really do have your best interest at heart.
Why does this matter? Because if you feel obligated year after year to “celebrate” with people who make you anxious or uncomfortable due to past or ongoing hurts, you will not be able to relax. This means you can’t enjoy the food or the rest of your company. Ultimately, this stress can ruin your holiday and put a damper on your physical and emotional health.
What Foods Make Me Feel Joyful?
Ask yourself what foods best evoke feelings of festivity for you. You may have lovely holiday memories associated with certain flavors, smells and traditional dishes. If you can enjoy these foods, do so guilt-free! If you need to modify an old family recipe to accommodate a health need, do the leg work! You will be pleasantly surprised by how much joy this can bring you!
What Exceptions Do I Choose to Make this Season?
If you generally eat a very healthy diet, remember that you can lighten up a bit over the holidays. Of course, don’t compromise when it comes to your health needs (for example, allergies, diabetes, intolerances, metabolic disorders or triggers for pain and inflammation). However, aside from true health restrictions, remember that eating healthy most of the time is a little like putting money into a savings account. This means you can make allowances for some holiday indulgence. How much indulgence and what specific foods you’ll indulge in really depends on your specific situation. I know I can get away with eating more sweets than usual around holiday time, but I’m super careful about avoiding the foods I’m allergic to.
Final Thoughts
It really is so important to remember that health is more than doing things by the book. Remember, the people and foods that bring you joy and nourishment are more important than rules and conventions.
Let’s Work Together
If you need help developing a just-right-for-you holiday action plan, please get in touch! Learn more about working with me here.