The holiday season is often regarded as a joyful time of year. At the same time, it comes with many physical, mental, and spiritual demands.  Because of the various demands, the immune system can be compromised, which increases the likelihood of catching a cold or virus.  So, to ease the weight of the holidays and support a healthy holiday season, I thought I’d share a few tips for your mind, body, and soul.

For your Mind…

1. Battle headaches from hangovers with plenty of water to avoid dehydration and coffee to overcome fatigue.  Aspirin or ibuprofen help too.

2. Focus on the positives during all gatherings with family, friends, relatives, etc.  While we all have disagreements from time to time, focusing on the positives and holding your tongue about certain matters prevents a small disagreement from becoming a larger dispute.  It’s better to be kind than ‘right’ and holiday gatherings are ideal situations to practice kindness!

For your Body…

1. Be wise with the body.  Research shows that the extra pounds people gain during the season are not lost during the remainder of the year.

2. From a nutritional perspective, there are many foods you can use to boost your immune system to prevent colds and influenza.  All of these nutrition strategies are provided on pages 59-60 of the Real Food Therapy Guide.  (If you have not ordered a soft cover version, you can get the e-book version free with easy e-mail sign-up to our free “on Inspired Living” newsletter.)

3.  Walk the Malls.  One of our clients shares the fun he has walking the malls with a group friends for week.  The social camaraderie provides an additional benefit to the brisk walking, which can burn between 150-300 calories an hour.

For your Soul…

1. Be merry with your mate.  According to Syracuse University researchers, couples who participate in holiday rituals together, such as decorating their home or lighting candles, can strengthen their marriages.

2. Remember that money doesn’t buy happiness.  Research in wealthy and poor populations has shown that as long as basic needs are met, additional wealth and material objects have little effect on well-being.  In fact, people who are more focused on material goods exhibit reduced life satisfaction and higher levels of depression.

3.  Share a memorable toast.  Honoring some one no longer present stimulates affection for people you miss, which often transforms moments of sadness into an uplifting experience.