I have the good fortune of being quoted in the “Better Health” section of the December 2010 issue of Better Homes and Gardens:
“I used to handle the holiday stress by indulging in comfort foods. It’s hard not to when you’re surrounded by reindeer cookies and chocolate Santas. I always figured, Whatever. I’ll get back on track in January. Except I never did, and I ended up putting on more weight every year. I finally realized that healthy living is an everyday deal. This year when stress hits, I’ll be unwinding with a movie, good book, or manicure.“
One of the biggest lessons I’ve had to learn was how to deal with stress—holiday and other—in positive ways. Most of most of my life, when I was under pressure, feeling overwhelmed, or had too much to do and do little time to do it in, I soothed frazzled nerves with food. Stressful times often found me sitting at the kitchen table bingeing on my favorite comfort foods—usually a combination of sugar, flour and salt—while engrossed in a book or magazine. Eating while reading was my favorite escape.
Now that I’ve embraced a healthy lifestyle, I’ve had to learn to de-stress in ways that don’t involve self-destructive eating. Still a voracious reader, I’ve found that diving into a good book while drinking warm tea or coffee is immensely satisfying. Checking out via a matinee is another favorite, as is taking a nap on a Saturday afternoon.
Sipping warm tea, coffee, or broth is a healthy way to soothe seasonal stress.
What are your calorie-free holiday survival tips? Post a comment or send an email to [email protected]
Let’s make it to the New Year, happy, healthy, and even more importantly—sane!
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