It’s hard to stay healthy during the holidays with all the yummy food, travel, and stress. Here’s a quick guide to help you survive and thrive no matter what the next week or two throw at you. I’ve included links to the supplements and herbs, but most are readily available at your local health food store, Asian grocery, or acupuncturist’s office. I hope they help!
The Common Cold
Try some Yin Chiao or Gan Mao Ling at the first signs of the common cold. For prevention (like when flying), take half the suggested dosage.
Diet Damage Control
If you decide to stray from your healthy diet, be sure to take some digestive enzymes to help break down the glut of carbs, fats, and protein. Take 3 or 4 capsules 1/2 hour before eating. Chewing thoroughly also helps break down your food, releases digestive enzymes, and it’s free!
To take the edge off the blood sugar roller coaster with so many starches and desserts on the menu, take some Glucose Metabolic Support or some Alpha Lipoic Acid. Take the recommended dosage with food.
You can also try some heavy lifting or sprints about a half hour before eating. It can indirectly help regulate your blood sugar and help to put that glucose where it belongs – in your muscles (not stored as fat).
If you plan to throw all caution to the wind and stuff your face to the point just shy of exploding, definitely pick up a bottle of Bao He Wan. It helps eliminate that gut bomb and all the nasty symptoms that go along with it. Take 1.5 times the suggested dose one hour before the main feast, another dose at mealtime, and the last dose hour after eating.
Stress and Anxiety
Too much to do and not enough time and money? Are you having trouble relaxing during the holidays? If your feeling stressed out, get some Xiao Yao Wan. It won’t help you manifest more cash or time, but it will help diminish your holiday stress and help you “go with the flow” a bit better.
If you get to the point where your feeling jittery, can’t shut you mind off, and are having trouble getting to sleep (where as you normally wouldn’t), give Cortisol Manager a try. Cortisol is the “stress hormone” and elevated levels of it can cause all kinds of problems.
When it comes to stress and anxiety, a little exercise can go along way. Not enough time? Check out Fitness Reloaded for a bunch of quick and easy workouts.
Also, don’t forget about a quick nap or some meditation. These two are a great way to “reset” the mind and body and bring you back to the present.
What are your tips and tricks to surviving the holidays? Please leave your questions and comments below!
Photo by FH Alexander
