2020 is almost over and I can’t help but think “thank goodness for that”. I can’t wait for a brand new year to get underway to press the reset button! It has been a rather intense year. I'm looking forward to setting some new goals, implementing some positive habits and continue working on becoming a better, happier person.
It’s a busy time of the year and some of us may have overcommitted ourselves to end of year events. Some of us are stressed and feel overwhelmed. Others struggle with the whole festive thing and this time of the year can be an emotionally challenging time of the year for many.
I like to look at this time of the year as a great time to get stuck into some much needed socialising with people I have barely seen this year and it’s a great time to review the year that was. For me, this is a time for appreciation and for giving to others.
At this time of the year, food and alcohol are pretty much on tap. Being mindful of the role overindulging in them has on our biochemistry can help you take control and not overdo it. It’s normal for humans to reach out for food or alcohol as a way to treat ourselves, feel good and get a dopamine hit. Dopamine is our reward neurotransmitter. It’s responsible for the pleasure and reward feeling we experience. Overdoing food and alcohol during the holiday period can leave us with low dopamine levels in the body and this can be a dangerous time for developing and then having to kick a sugar or alcohol addiction or over-reliance. To avoid overindulging and feeling terrible for it, there are three key things you can be doing to get through this hectic time and still feel good.
FILL UP BEFORE YOU GO
I love this tip. Never turn up to a social function super hungry. I made a post lockdown rookie mistake recently and ate half a salad for the entire day and then all it took was 2 chardonnays and a glass of prosecco for me to end up looking like a badly behaved teenager that was out in the city drinking vodka and raspberry lemonade for the first time! Not pretty folks!
The best thing to do is skip any intermittent fasting you do on the day you have your event on, eat protein at each meal in the lead-up and consider eating a healthy protein-containing snack prior to arriving at a function. You will feel much more in control of the food choices you make once you are at your social event. This also means if you are drinking alcohol you are no drinking on an empty stomach and that means you get less intoxicated less quickly.
KEEP YOUR LIVER HAPPY
Alcohol can certainly feel like my kryptonite. Too much and it impairs detoxification, negatively impacts brain function, ramps up feelings of anxiety and ages you prematurely. To avoid drinking too much try some or all of the following tips and tricks.
• Be the designated driver
• Set a limit and commit to no more than three drinks
• Drink sparkling water between alcoholic drinks
• Drink apperitifs e.g Aperol Spritz!
• Stick to white spirits and go low sugar with mixers
• Stop drinking three hours before you are going to go to sleep
DON’T BE THE LAST TO LEAVE
Whilst we do want to spend time with our amazing friends and family, we don’t need to be the person that is last to leave the party. Get your self home at a good time to ensure that you don’t skimp on sleep and wake up feeling good the next day. Remember, the sleep you get before midnight is the most restorative and regenerative of the night.
Finally, celebrate that we made it through this year and have fun! You deserve it.