Written By Michelle Burchett
When the holiday whirlwind ends and adrenaline is no longer sustaining us, we may be physically exhausted or feel blue. If getting back to normal seems daunting, there’s hope! Small steps can have a huge impact. Lynne Bennett, employee wellness coordinator for Chesterfield County, shares the following tips:
MODERATION Set realistic goals and ease back into the normal routine. Small successes will motivate you to continue tweaking your routine until you are back in preholiday mode. “The number one mistake most people make after the holidays is setting goals that overwhelm them,” Bennett says.
SUPPLEMENTS Take vitamin B-complex, as well as 1,000 units of C and 5,000 units of D to aid recovery and combat the effects of stress. Incorporate whey protein into your diet, too. It has vital amino acids that improve mood, focus and energy by stabilizing blood sugar, preventing panic hunger and binge eating. It also preserves lean muscles and helps repair your cells.
RELAXATION Set time aside to relax, and use sounds, scents and flavored teas at work, in the car or at home to reduce stress and feel contented. “You shouldn’t become overwhelmed trying to relax,” says Bennett. “If you received a spa gift certificate, now is the time to use it.”
WEIGHT CONTROL Use online tools to help regain control of your diet and exercise regimen. MyFitnessPal.com enables you plan meals as well as to track your food intake quickly and easily and to set parameters to monitor calories, sodium, fat, protein and others. If you know you will be eating out, plan ahead using the site’s database, which lists meals from many popular chain restaurants. Most restaurants also have online nutrition menus you can consult. Some restaurants even allow you to customize your meal on your computer, print it off and give it to your server when your order is taken. This free program also has exercise tracking; calculators for recipe nutrition, basal metabolic rate and body mass index; a message board; and blog. Mobile apps are also available at myfitnesspal.com/mobile.
FINANCIAL CONTROL Use online budget-planning tools to track expenditures until you regain control. This allows you to see where your money is going, make wise decisions and feel empowered. About.com lists eight free personal finance management software downloads that it considers the best.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Participate in a charitable organization if grief or loneliness is an issue. It fosters positive feelings by allowing you to stay connected with others, meet new people, and make a positive impact.
The Doctor Says…
“The best approach to preventing the post-holiday blues is to ensure you have both adequate rest for the mind and the body,” says Dr. Parham Jaberi, director for the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights-Powhatan Health District. “Catch up on sleep, eat healthy, and engage in moderate physical exercise, which can lead the body to releasing endorphins, naturally occurring hormones secreted in the body that can combat feelings of depression. Reaching out to family and friends to talk about your stressors can also help, and always consider seeking professional help if the feelings of blues persist.”