- Be Present! During the meal, pay attention to yourself. Are you filling your plate to the brim just because that’s what everyone else does? Are you drinking alcohol to “loosen up”? If so, identify what is making you feel uncomfortable and address it directly. Do you actually taste each bite, or just the first few and then you slip into robotic eating mode? Do you eat to quickly to even give yourself time to feel full?
- Treat Yourself! Allow yourself permission to feel good both before and after the meal. If you always end up feeling so stuffed it is painfully uncomfortable, or you feel guilty afterwards, treat yourself to the gift of feeling good. Know that you can eat a wonderful meal, and even have dessert without completely filling yourself until you want to pop! Take less food – you can always go back for seconds if you are still hungry. You earned the right to feel good.
- Enjoy Nature! Take a Walk. After the meal, get the family together or a special relative to take a walk with. This will give you some time to talk, get some fresh air, use your muscles and energize.
Let’s not forget what the holidays are really about – time for gratitude, love (for self and others), family and giving.
If you are feeling overstressed or depressed about the holidays and cannot find a way to manage all of those feelings, or if you begin to feel anxiety or depression that interferes with your life, call us today for a free consultation. You can call Amy directly at 240-274-5680 or by email at AnotherLook@HealingLLC.com. For more information, visit www.HealingLLC.com/cso for details.
