Kiddipedia
By GO Healthy’s resident naturopath, Ema Taylor
As the festive season approaches, the anticipation of celebrations with friends and family fills the air. However, it’s important to be mindful that without adequate preparation, this time of year can bring not only excitement but also a potential for overwhelming commitments, elevated stress levels and bouts of overindulgence, particularly if you have a family. As a mother of a toddler – I understand the juggle!
Here are some tips to help you navigate the silly season with your health and well-being intact.
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Ensure you and your children start the day with a protein-rich breakfast
Proteins are slow-digesting macronutrients, which means they provide a steady release of energy throughout the day and help to support stable blood glucose levels. Stable energy and blood glucose levels means more stable moods – a big win for everyone!
Protein has the added benefit of enhancing feelings of fullness, which means that by kickstarting your day with a protein-rich breakfast, you’re likely to experience greater satisfaction, reducing the temptation to overindulge in sugary and nutrient-poor treats at parties, which can ultimately lead to feelings of discomfort and sluggishness.
To incorporate more protein into your morning meal, consider starting your day with eggs, Greek yogurt with nuts, hemp seeds or chia seeds, lean meats, organic tofu, beans or plant-based protein sources like beans and quinoa.
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Aim to keep aspects of your daily routine and rhythm
Children (and often adults) thrive on routine. The silly season is often a time when all routines fly out the window and this can result in feelings of exhaustion and overwhelm. Keeping some simple ‘anchor points’ as I like to call them, throughout the day can help the whole family feel more stable. Some of these ‘anchor points’ could be:
- Sticking to regular meal times
- Going outside and moving your body and getting some fresh air
- Aiming to get to bed at the same time each night, the goal being to achieve 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night for an adult to help your body recharge and recover, and more for children. This will also improve your mood and increase your resilience to stress.
- Make time for self care. As a parent this usually comes last, so to avoid you feeling burnt out, lock in ‘you time’ in advance so it is in the calendar and encourage your partner to do the same. When you are ‘filled up’, you can give so much more to those around you.
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Utilize the healing power of St. Mary’s Thistle
St. Mary’s Thistle, also known as milk thistle, is a natural herb that has been used for centuries to support liver health. It contains a potent antioxidant called silymarin, which can help protect your liver from the oxidative stress caused by alcohol consumption. If you plan to enjoy a few drinks during the festive season, consider taking St. Mary’s Thistle supplements to help support your liver’s detoxification process.
The silly season is undoubtedly a time for celebration and joy. By prioritizing your well-being with these three simple tips, you can ensure a harmonious household, maintain a balanced diet, ensure you’re prioritizing self-care and support the health of your liver. This holistic approach will enable you to fully embrace the festive spirit while keeping your health and happiness intact.
