MY TOP 3 FESTIVE HACKS
As we come into the final sprint towards Christmas, I notice the same complaints coming up from my clients year after year. So I thought I would share the tips I recommend to them for the top 3 complaints.
Now I love the festive season, I love the different social gatherings, the indulgent food and drinks - Yup, hands up here, I am definitely an imperfect nutritionist and this time of year challenges all that I know is good for me. But hey, it only comes around once a year and I bloody love it!
And if you obey all the rules all of the time you miss out on some of the fun and getting together with friends and family is a whole lot of fun.
With that though comes some; shall we say, side effects. The pay back. And they are not at all fun. So are there some natural ways we can support these? Yes absolutely! Do they completely clear the negative impact of these choices - NOPE! but they can ease the discomfort.
So what do my clients complain about most during the festive season:
Bloating
Hangovers
Mental and nervous system fatigue
Does that resonate?
If you feel like the only thing you can do after your Christmas dinner, or meal out with friends is lie down, close your eyes and hope the tummy pain will ease, then you will definitely be missing out on some of the post- meal fun. So what helps for bloating? I have 3 favourite tips that work time and time again.
A simple ayurvedic and herbal remedy is chewing 1/2 tsp fennel seeds before a meal and this can be really helpful to stimulate more digestive juices to improve the way you digest your meal. Fennel can help to release gas. I like to mix the seeds with a little honey to make them more palatable. or you can take the fennel as a tincture - I like Indigo Herbs Fennel Seed Tincture. -Add a pipette of the tincture to water and sip after each meal. (Add the code RHIINDIGO to get 12% off your first 5 orders)
This is a unique blend with Ginger, Peppermint, Caraway and Fennel essential oils which is beneficial for stomach discomfort.
This is definitely one for Christmas Day but also something I will often pack in my bag when I go away, or on holiday, as that is generally when the rules get bent a bit and I will eat more indulgently. You can buy a roller ball and rub on your stomach. I also find it helps when you get that anxiety tummy - before a big event, or when flying etc.
Medicinal teas
The best digestive teas are - Ginger, fennel and I really love CCF tea - another Ayurvedic remedy, which is a mix of cumin, coriander and fennel seeds. It really helps to ease abdominal pain. Relieves bloating and flatulence and can calm spasms in the gut. Just mix 1 tsp of each seed into a tea pot and add boiling water and allow to brew before drinking. You can drink CCF any time of day to support your digestion through this indulgent time.
If you’re feeling worse for wear after overindulging in the festive spirits then making yourself a fresh green juice will be a wonderful restorative message to the body and will help to alkalise any acidity.
Choose asparagus which has enzymes that help to breakdown any residue of alcohol and ease any toxic overload to the liver. I like to juice mine with lemon, ginger, apple and some spinach.
NuxVomica homeopathic remedy is also a top tip. if you’re feeling nauseous. Also great for travel sickness.
A lovely Ayurvedic remedy is add 1 tsp of lime juice to a glass of water, with 1/2 tsp of sugar and a pinch of salt and 1/2 tsp of baking soda.
I do love to celebrate the festivities with friends and family with a few drinks but now I seem much less tolerant.
I find taking Milk Thistle really helpful -(Add the code RHIINDIGO to get 12% off your first 5 orders) it helps to protect the liver from the damage of alcohol. And there is no denying it, alcohol is toxic on the body, so I am in no way encouraging that you take Milk thistle and then go on a bender for the 12 days of Christmas! But we could all do with a little bit of liver loving TLC at this time of year just with the indulgent food and milk thistle is a great one.
I am also enjoying these two non alcoholic spirits which gives me a delicious alternative without feeling like I am completely missing out:
Sentia is a unique unique blend of active botanicals that activate the GABA pathways and help to enhance mood, wellbeing and connection. I have tried the Sentia Red which I enjoy with a tonic water and slice of orange or lemon. They also have Sentia Black but I haven’t tried it (yet!) And I have just discovered they have shared some delicious sounding cocktail recipes which I will definitely be having a play with over the festive season - Sentia Mocktails
Mother Root I have also been enjoying Mother Root - fermented ginger switchel which again I enjoy with tonic water.
It’s a wonderful time of connecting with our loved ones and trying to fit in lots of social engagements when actually our body is craving that winter hibernation - that restorative rest. It’s a time with an endless to-do list to organise and plan get togethers, Christmas gifts and clearing our work load, so we can take some time off. It is definitely a tricky balance to navigate.
Some people thrive on the buzz of lots of social activity, bouncing around and absorbing everyone else’s energy and recharging their own batteries. Others find their battery stores drain from lots of ‘peopling’ and need some rest and downtime. What would I recommend?:
Recognise which type you are. Love and respect the opposite type and if you need some quiet time to ground your energy and calm the senses - then don’t feel guilty about taking that time for you. And if you are hyper-charged by being around people and notice someone else needs some peace - respect that time of Calm and tranquility for them and know that they will come back and join you when they feel re-charged. It is about loving and respecting all of us and all of our needs.
So if you need to find some peace in the chaos - here are some sensory tools that I find will quickly help me to reset my nervous system and help me get back into the party mood:
When you feel a bit fatigued or overwhelmed - Can you go outside? - grab some fresh air, take a few gentle breaths, if you can take your shoes off and feel the earth beneath you or go and lean on a solid tree and just tune into your breath while you gently feel your nervous system calm.
If you can take a moment in a quiet room - I have even managed this exercise in the bathroom - then I would definitely recommend this beautiful havening breath work exercise by Breath Gal - once you have followed her video a few times you can easily do this one on your own when you get a chance.
If you can’t leave the room - can you draw your gaze to a candle flickering or the flames of a fire. In Ayurveda a popular practice is trataka - meaning to gaze at - often at a flame - this is a meditative practice that has anchoring benefits. It also helps with focus and concentration, so after a little time-out gazing, you can feel back in the room and focussed on the conversations around you.
I find aroma a fantastic way to quickly calm the senses and lavender oil is my go to. I keep a lavender roller ball in my bag and when feeling a bit overwhelmed I can just grab the oil, rub them on my pulse points and under my nose and just take a few breaths into my belly and this little ritual just helps me to come back inward and be in the moment.
I have also found the Homeobotanical remedy Lemonbalm combined with the blend Tired energy is a fantastic blend to calm and restore during lots of socialising. Again, I can just keep it in my handbag and grab a few drops under my tongue as and when I need them. If you would like your own blend they are just £20 plus P+P or can be picked up from my home in Sway and can be ordered by just emailing me.