Dr. Julie’s Top 5 Holiday Health Routines

Slow Down and Take Time for YOU This Holiday Season

Happy holidays to you!I am currently sitting in my favorite chair at home basking in the December sunshine, finally having a moment of peace and quiet to myself while my two sons are playing outside – hopefully not in the street! These rare moments I cherish. I’m reminded of how important it is to slow down and just be in the silence. One of the gifts of the holiday season is the opportunity to slow down, cozy-up on the couch and just relax. Live a few days, a week or more with an unstructured schedule. We desperately need this time to unwind, unplug and do less. That said, I am not planning to become a sloth and lose all motivation for the routines that keep me mentally and physically balanced. I need a leg to stand on in the midst of the holiday bustle – tying up loose ends at work, navigating the shopping traffic, buying cards, wrapping presents, standing in line at USPS, and getting through the darker cloudy days and long cold nights. To help me survive, I’ve made a commitment to 5 health habits that I do daily and weekly to keep me mentally sane, weight-stable and balanced.

1. Sleep

I never go to bed after 10pm. Ideally, I am in bed at 9:30pm but sometimes it’s hard to get my kids down, my dog’s teeth brushed, my own teeth brushed, skin routine done, before-bed pee, the phone turned off, and maybe a few other odds and ends before I lie down. Sleep matters greatly. It is my bottom line. Frankly, I consider it a natural anti-depressant. I go to bed early enough so that I can wake up naturally without an alarm.

2. Exercise

This time of year I have to force myself to exercise, preferably outside in the sunshine, for at least thirty minutes or more 3 times per week. If it’s cold, snowy or rainy, I layer up with vests, jackets, gloves, hat, headphones and push myself out the door. I walk briskly, run, or do a combination of both. When I get home, I head to the basement for 15-20 minutes of free weights and sit-ups on a therapeutic ball. I don’t belong to a gym. I’m not trying to be lean and mean. I’m just trying to maintain strength, flexibility, manage stress and keep my weight stable. My days and weeks are considerably better when I exercise regularly.

3. Eat foods with color

I try to consume antioxidant-rich foods every day. The darker and richer the food color, the better. Lately, I’ve been chopping up dino kale, adding chopped apples or pears, walnuts or pecans, pomegranate seeds, a sprinkling of feta or blue cheese and adding a raspberry vinaigrette dressing. I often add sliced hard boiled eggs on top for protein. These salads provide healthy fiber, antioxidants, vitamin C and protein. I also eat blueberry smoothies or steal cut oatmeal with blueberries, walnuts, hemp seeds, and a little butter and honey as a part of this antioxidant plan. Butternut squash soup, roasted squash chunks or sweet potatoes are great options too.

4. Skin care ritual

I’ve committed to an all-natural skin-care routine that I do morning and evening that prevents my skin from drying up and protects my lips from peeling, cracking and bleeding. This might sound vain, but at 46-years old, my skin could use some love. I don’t care about wrinkles but I do care about moisture and avoiding dryness. My favorite skin-care products are the Evan Healy milk cleanser, moisturizer and the rose facial serum.

5. Schedule weekly personal time

This one is often hardest to commit to, but it provides the greatest rewards for my long-term mental stamina and balance. I try to ear-mark chunks of time each week that I can have to myself. I use this time to pursue creative projects, self-care like exercise or massage, cook healthy meals, connect with friends or simply relax. It’s my opportunity to step away from the daily grind and nourish myself.

What are your health routines that keep you grounded and healthy during this joyful, but often stressful season? From all of us at Boulder Natural Health, we appreciate the opportunity to help you optimize your health and create life-long wellness. We wish you a peaceful, healthy and joyful holiday season.

Take good care – Dr. Julie Neal.