My Top Tips for A Happier, Healthier & EASIER Christmas
Can I tell you a shameful secret?
It was my turn to host Christmas Day this year, and I am not entirely sorry that I now can’t host 10, as planned. #hangsheadwithshame
I will miss my family horribly on the 25th, but the truth is that I find December exhausting, every year. It’s like a marathon sprint. I get so excited and work so hard that by Christmas morning, once the kids have opened their stockings, I could happily crawl back under the covers until the day after Boxing Day. Some chance, eh mama?
And yet, although this December won’t be the same as normal, the pressure to make it wonderful for our family, especially given the year we’ve had, hasn’t gone away.
Do you feel it too?
Ho ho OH, it’s December
Presents to buy, wrap and post (instead of delivering in person). Meals to plan (though this is much like Lockdown 1 but with more fairy lights), and the requisite crafty/baking memories to create with our kids. (Anyone else have to resist the urge to yell, “Just let mummy do it, it’ll be quicker!). Then there’s the decoration, and the cooking… all that’s missing is the dressing up and being with friends and family which is the bit that I love. I’m tempted to put on the poshest frock I have NOW and not bloody well take it off until New Year. My seasonal pandemic-style. Give the joggers a fortnight off.
So, how else can knackered mums cope better with Christmas 2020? Here are my top tips for an easier, happier holiday season.
Get ahead of the game
Oh, the joy of NOT thinking “I have to cook AS WELL!” when you’ve got 30 tiny stocking fillers to wrap.
Spend one afternoon in the next week or so batch cooking. Even if it’s just 2 hours one Saturday morning listening to the Bublé. If you eat meat, do a massive bolognaise and chicken casserole, or if you’re veggie, a massive bean bolognaise or veggie stew is perfect. Portion it out and freeze. You can even pre-cook brown rice and portion this up. Defrost completely and reheat to piping hot. Less time in the kitchen means more time watching cheesy movies under a blanket with my boys. I’ll also do more one-pan recipes so that neither my OH nor I will have to spend an hour a day washing up.
Don’t Sugar Coat It
From a nutritional perspective, I know for sure that the temptation to inhale sugar and crap from sun-up to sun-down (and then until bedtime) does us no good. I’m not going to tell you not to eat sugar at Christmas. BUT. I will say that it affects our mood, our immune system and our sleep. Plus, the ups and downs of our blood sugar when we’re grazing all day tend to mean our energy suffers. So, if you’re eating chocolate, have it with some walnuts. If you’re drinking mulled wine, have it with some canapes. A little protein with that sugar will help to reduce the impact on your blood sugar levels.
Stay Calm and Keep Drinking
Water, rather than Prosecco. It’s very easy to get dehydrated this time of year. We go outside bundled up then inside where the heating is on, and we tend to overheat. If you’re energy is a bit depleted, and you’re feeling tired, or you have a headache, try drinking a pint of water and see if it helps.
Plus, people who drink less water may increase their chances of catching flu. Our first line of defence is the mucous in the nose which traps dirt & germs, preventing them getting to the lungs. If dehydrated, the mucous is dry and less effective
Hold off the hangover
Given that most of us can’t or won’t see family this year, we’ll be stuck inside a lot more. I could be wrong, but I predict that may mean more booze, not less. So, you’ve overdone it. You feel like sh*t. Secret nutritionist’s solution?
There isn’t one, really. Sorry.
But these all help:
• Scrambled egg on wholemeal toast
• Blend a banana with an avocado.
• Drink lots – but not just water, especially if you’ve been sick. Rehydration salts may be more helpful. All you need is half a litre of water, 3 tsp of sugar and ¼ tsp of sea salt. Mix it together well and drink through the day.
• Viridian’s Sports Electrolyte Fix Liquid. Add 2.5ml (half a teaspoon) to 1 litre of water or juice and sip slowly.
• Coconut water
• Ginger tea – grate some fresh ginger into hot water and let it infuse. A traditional anti-nausea herb!
• If budget is not an issue, you could try some liposomal glutathione. A teaspoon away from food – this powerful antioxidant can help our liver to detoxify.
For most of us, Christmas 2020 won’t be the same as normal. Sending you good wishes and good mama vibes.
And don’t forget, in the words of Kit in Pretty Woman: “Take care of you.”