Supposedly the season of good cheer, Christmas can potentially be anything but. What should be ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ can end up being a chaotic and stressful time as we try to juggle our busy everyday lives, whilst at the same time contending with Christmas shopping, Christmas catering, lots of people (everywhere), lots of social events and an advent calendar full of school events!

If you’re not careful, too many late nights and totally overdoing things will mean you end up with the dreaded lurgy. Before you know it, your ying and yang will be shot way out of balance and you are laid up in bed.

The first thing I want to mention is sleep-

Sleep is important to keep the immune system in tip top condition and therefore keeping colds and flu at bay. Once the immune system is weakened and unhappy, you are giving bugs and viruses extra ammo to invade your system.

My practical advice, is to try and limit going out to three times a week. I know that this will be harder for some of you then others (especially those of you with a million to corporate functions to attend) but it’s that time of year where for your own sake, you need to be a bit choosy with what you do and who with!

Remember lack of sleep decreases insulin levels, compromising your metabolism and potentially causing weight gain! Not getting enough shut eye also increases ghrelin, the hunger hormone – not good news. Now, consider the consequences of having a hangover and being sleep deprived … the ghrelin hormone is going to be on overdrive!

Hydrate after alcohol

It’s Christmas so I’m not going to say don’t drink alcohol but it’s very easy to have way more to drink than you expected at this time of year resulting in a raging headache when you wake up the following morning.

Alcohol has a diuretic effect and can cause dehydration. Once dehydration creeps in, you can end up not only with headaches, but dry skin, low blood pressure, poor concentration, irritability and of course the infamous side effect, food cravings.

Don’t try to sweat out a hangover. Instead try to rehydrate by drinking water or coconut water continually throughout the day.

Eating a banana will also be beneficial as the potassium it contains will help to rebalance your electrolyte levels depleted by dehydration.

 
Make a batch of lemon, ginger and honey tea

This tea is my salvation at this time of year. It is so simple to make and can be kept in the fridge for up to three days. The ginger contains anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties to help keep the immune system strong.

Simply simmer one large chunk of ginger (skin removed) in a pan of boiled water, with a whole lemon (sliced) and a drop of manuka honey for an hour or so.

 
Tis the season to be jolly, not to over indulge
Don’t be fooled into thinking that bingeing on unhealthy food can happen throughout the whole month of December without consequences!

So we are all guilty of overindulging during December, but with the average Christmas dinner containing around 7,000 calories (yes, 7,000!!!), we need to be sensible and remain balanced about what we are eating – and how much! This doesn’t mean cutting out your favourite festive foods completely, but it does mean being mindful and trying to eat as clean as you can in between knees ups and celebrations!

If you are really busy, then simply try to make a few healthy meals in advance. Double up where you can and freeze the extras so you know that you can get your hands on a healthy, homemade meal after a long, stressful day.

Watch those high heels
Yes, us women love wearing high heels to help elongate our legs, but in theory, when we don our four inch heals, we are asking for trouble. Us humans really weren’t designed to walk round in heels! If you are at an event and are likely to be on your feet all night, think very carefully about what you put on your feet! I’m not saying pull out your naff trainers, or go in your slippers, but instead consider investing in a pair of sparkly pumps or maybe a pair of boots with a reasonable heel. Otherwise, after the party, rather than seeking out Santa, you risk trying to hunt down a physio to treat inflamed achilles tendons or worse still, a bad back – the results of forcing your pelvis into an unnatural position! Definitely not what you want at Christmas, or any time of year come to that.

I hope that you find this advice practical and down-to-earth and that it helps to keep you feeling well and fit and full of good cheer throughout the Christmas party season.

Have a lovely Christmas!

Love Kate x