This time of year can be a difficult time to maintain healthy diet and lifestyle choices. Social events and parties often become opportunities to indulge in rich food, alcohol and late nights.
You may have been prescribed certain dietary or lifestyle changes by your practitioner, or you may just be trying to stick to a healthy diet of your own accord.
Either way, if you do over-indulge I’m of the belief that it’s important not to give yourself a hard time about it. Yes, eating those delicious rich foods aren’t great for your body and for your health. But berating yourself, worrying and creating anxiety around it can also be detrimental.
In Chinese medicine we see the way food is eaten as having an impact on health. Occasionally enjoying something you wouldn’t normally eat in a social setting and having fun while doing so helps your body relax and unwind, which can actually support your healing.
Just be sure to get right back on the horse, and back on track with your healthy lifestyle the next day! Don’t waste time and energy giving yourself a hard time. Use that energy to jump back in to your excellent diet.
If you know you’re going to have lots of social events coming up, plan ahead. Know yourself, and know what areas you’re likely to indulge in.
Maybe you will choose to have a healthy meal before your party, so you’re less likely to snack throughout the night. Maybe you will choose to honour your body by getting enough rest and eating really well between events. Maybe you will decide for yourself if you really do want to drink alcohol, or if you would prefer to abstain.
What many patients report at this time of year, is they feel a difference in their body when eating and drinking differently. This can be a positive thing, as it can help cement the benefits of eating and living in a way that supports healing.
Backing yourself by making healthy diet and lifestyle choices can become so much easier when you’re feeling the positive benefits. Talk to your practitioner today about ways you can stay healthy and happy through this time of year.
Anna McMullen
Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner