The Game Plan to Help You Feel Comfortable and Content this Thanksgiving
If you can recall a Thanksgiving dinner when you stuffed yourself so full it hurt, and you’d rather end this year’s holiday feeling comfortable, grateful, and content, implementing this schedule at least one week in advance should help:
Set a bed time that’s allotted for eight hours of sleep.
When your body is sleep deprived, it gets hungrier than normal. Work backwards eight hours from your morning alarm to determine bed time.
Create an evening routine that supports sleep.
Taking a walk after dinner, reading (an actual book, not kindle), having a cup of herbal tea, journaling about a few things you’re grateful for, or stretching can support your body’s ability to relax way more effectively than hanging out on your phone or in front of the TV.
Determine your exercise sweet spot.
You know that exercise matters. It supports every system in your body, resulting in a well-functioning metabolism, regulated appetite, and mental wellbeing. Take advantage of the time of day when you do feel most energized and motivated for exercise.
Avoid fasting longer than you need.
If it’s typical for you to go through your whole day without eating a thing until dinner, your body may need some nurturing. Is your body raising any flags for help through fatigue, poor concentration, mood swings, or headaches? You’ll probably benefit from introducing a balanced meal earlier in the day.
Practice:
Eating slower
Noticing how you feel
Eating slower and chewing food thoroughly leads to more effective digestion and satisfaction with a meal. This also sets you up to notice how you feel physically and emotionally. How we feel impacts how we eat, and how we eat impacts how we feel, so it’s valuable to notice what’s going on in our body and brain.
Disclaimer:
The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. Consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. If you'd like to exit this holiday season feeling healthy, guidance from a nutrition expert could help! Please review our Nutrition & Wellness Services here: