Thanksgiving and Christmas. Two of the most exciting days of the year. It’s a time for family to gather together, there are delicious smells coming from the kitchen, the weather is getting colder (well… maybe, if you’re in the right place), and there are all those wonderful holiday traditions. But there is that one annoying little bug hiding in the corner, just waiting to jump out at you.

I know it’s hard to keep looking and feeling your best during these holiday months. There are so many tempting sweets this time of year and with the busy schedule of everyone on the family it is easy to let ourselves go and ignore our body’s warnings. I fall into the trap almost every year. And just about as many times… I end up regretting it. These are special and happy times and it is a shame to let sickness get in the way of enjoying these times with friends and family to the utmost.

Here are a few tips you can try to make this holiday season just a little bit more enjoyable.

1. Stay Hydrated

Drinking water is vital for your health. Being dehydrated weakens your immune system and can make you susceptible to sickness, especially during the holidays when we tend to ignore our bodies amid all the excitement of the season. It’s recommended that you drink half your body weight in water every day… but that is not the only way to stay hydrated. Getting more fruits and vegetables in your diet has many positive impacts on hydration status.

2. Stay Active

Exercising with a busy schedule is tough, but it is key to keeping our muscles strong (and I don’t just mean like Hercules), keeping our shape and giving us energy. Strong muscles and body help keep spasms and back back pain at bay, and help support the rest of the body. It doesn’t take much, a simple 10 minutes a day will help a lot.

3. Get Plenty of Sleep

Recharge! Lack of sleep really puts a strain on your body and weakens you. I can testify to that. Though there is so much to do during the holidays and we may be tempted to stay up just a few more minutes to complete that last task, we might want to listen to our body and leave it for the morrow. Sometimes it is necessary to stay up a little later, we do have responsibilities after all, but it is important that we don’t go overboard and make it a regular habit. Be smart and know when it is time to stay up and finish that project and when it is time to give in to the calling of your bed.

4. Manage Stress

Stress zaps energy from our bodies and can also cause physical pain (headaches, muscle cramps for example). Take time to relax during the holidays. Breathe and let the hustle and bustle leave your mind. I have found that curling up with a good book or reading passages of scripture will do wonders.

5. Self-Control

Don’t eat every sweet thing set before you. Sugar is your enemy. It can drain your body of all the good nutrients and leave you with a very inflamed and irritated gut. Indulging in a few special treats here and there is OK, but be sure and feed your body the protein and vitamins it needs to help balance glucose and insulin levels. Don’t overdue your dessert portions… and listen to your body! Stop when it tells you.

Believe me, a happy gut and body will treat you well. Though hard at times… it is worth it. So what do you say? Ready to chase away the blue Christmas this year? Are you up to the challenge with me? 

So let’s talk! What are some ways you have found to help your body make it through the holidays with a smile?

Essential oils are one great way to help support many areas your body. Here are five essential oils that you can use to help cleanse your gut and reduce digestive pain.

Not every oil that works for one person is right for your body. I recommend whole body testing to find what is right for you. Bring me your essential oils for me to muscle test, or I can teach you how to do it yourself.

1. Peppermint – Peppermint is an anti-inflammatory oil that calms and relaxes the muscles. It helps reduce bloating and gas.

2. Spearmint – This is another anti-inflammatory oil. Some people don’t react well to peppermint, since it is a strong oil. This is an alternative that you can try.

3. Fennel – For years, Fennel has been used by the Egyptians and Germans as a digestive aid. It can clear the bowels, relieve constipation and help to get rid of gas and bloating.

4. Grapefruit – Stress can cause pain in your gut. Grapefruit is an uplifting oil that can reduce stress and help to relieve some of that gut pain. It is also high in antioxidants that battle bad inflammation in the digestive system.

5. Ginger – It has been used to help relieve nausea, and it also is high in antioxidants to help reduce inflammation in the gut.

These are just a few oils to help in the digestive system. I recommend you talk with your doctor or health care professional before using these, if you are nursing or pregnant.