Your Gut Is Essential For Your Health

Your Gut Is Essential For Your Health

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The holidays can be a time when we indulge in more than we normally would. More food, most likely more alcohol, more activities, and less sleep. All of these can contribute to feeling behind the curve as we enter the new year. Do you know what’s at the root of this feeling? It’s your gut. Your gut is essential for your health.

There are many things that influence your gut health. These are primarily related to what you put in your mouth – whether solid or liquid – as Dana learned recently when she reached out for my help.

Dana, a young wife and mother to a 4-year-old daughter, realized she was spiraling downward and knew she needed help. She reported that she wasn’t doing well even before the holidays, but since Thanksgiving had been feeling like it was all getting worse.

Her gut was not happy – indigestion was a common experience – so she often avoided food. She also wasn’t sleeping well, which made her groggy throughout the day. All the added Christmas festivities were making things worse, so she picked up her phone to send an SOS to me.

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Do You Struggle With Holiday Blues?

Do You Struggle With Holiday Blues?

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The Christmas season presents a wide array of stimulation for our senses. The music, images in commercials, colorful decorations, and the food … oh, the food. For many, these holiday hallmarks evoke joy in the season, but some struggle with holiday blues.

Surprisingly, a survey by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) shows that 64% of people experience holiday blues.

The holiday blues are “feelings of anxiety or depression during holidays that can be associated with extra stress, unrealistic expectations, or even memories that accompany the season.” These “blues” refer to sad feelings, yet those experiencing holiday blues may feel worried, frustrated, or even disappointed.

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Good For Them and For You!

Good For Them And For You!

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What is your focus in these last few days before Thanksgiving? Have you set the menu for the meal and prepared your grocery list? Are your thoughts dominated by arrangements you need to make for guests, or perhaps the calorie overload that comes with the traditional feast?

Or perhaps you are one who thinks of where you will settle for your post-turkey nap?

All of these demands on your attention are significantly contributing to your stress level. This hinders your digestion, affects your heart and lung function, and makes you susceptible to viral illness.

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Not A Scary Situation, Or Is It?

Not A Scary Situation, Or Is It?

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 Here in the US, we may have an assortment of witches, ghosts, and princesses showing up at our doors this evening. Many of them will have cute kids’ faces beaming over the neckline of their costumes, though some may be hidden behind masks. It’s not a scary situation, or is it?

You know what’s really scary in this situation played out in neighborhoods or businesses? The amount of sugar that accumulates in the bags of the trick-or-treaters.

It can seem innocuous. Lots of little candies – suckers, fun-sized packs, or candy bars. All small portions, right?

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5 Healthy Holiday Side Dish Recipes

5 Healthy Holiday Side Dish Recipes

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When it comes to holiday meals, what do you look forward to the most? Is it the meat that is served, or the side dishes? All the special dishes help fill out and complement the main courses, making every feast one to remember.

Even when shifting your food habits, you can still serve a memorable spread by incorporating these healthy holiday side dish recipes. Featuring fresh ingredients and creative flavors, these dishes are perfect for impressing your guests. Hope you’ll try some of these fantastic 5 healthy holiday side dish recipes.

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Savor the Season - Practical Tips for Slowing Down

Savor the Season – Practical Tips for Slowing Down

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From delicious, fancy dinners to spending quality time with loved ones, there’s nothing better than this time of year. However, it all seems to pass by so quickly, and before we know it, we’re back to work and feeling just as burnt out as before. What if we were to slow down the pace? Here are a number of ways to savor the season with practical tips for slowing down.

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4 Tips For Staying Healthy Through The Holidays

4 Tips to Stay Healthy Through the Holidays

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While the holidays can bring out joy and excitement, there is also more stress from added demands on schedule, finances, and travel plans. Though these stressors can take a toll on your mental and physical health, I have good news! It doesn’t have to drag you down. Approach this time of year with 4 tips to stay healthy through the holidays. Read more

Health Benefits of Gratitude

More Than Saying Thank You – Benefits of Gratitude

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Gratitude fuels happiness. Shifting your thoughts to things for which you are grateful, can help you see the joy in life, even if it’s just the little things. Practicing gratitude not only improves your spiritual and mental well-being but also improves your health. Here are some health benefits of gratitude and tips on how you can practice it daily. Remember, it’s more than saying thank you! Read more

As you work to maintain holiday traditions, the pressure can build inside. Before your kettle starts to whistle, you can use CPR.

Before Your Kettle Starts To Whistle

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We are fully in the holiday season and I’m sure you are working to maintain what holiday traditions we can. Some of our treasured traditions must be set aside, while others can be enjoyed with modifications. What are you still scrambling to keep track of, to grasp, to process? When the pressure builds inside, before your kettle starts to whistle, you can use CPR.

No, I’m not referring to the chest compressions that are used when the heart is in cardiac arrest. I want to offer a different meaning for the acronym – confess, press, relax. Read more

Thanksgiving was established in gratitude for overcoming challenges. With Thanksgiving approaching in this very challenging year, an attitude of gratitude is healthful.

An Attitude of Gratitude is Healthful

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The Thanksgiving holiday was established to commemorate our gratitude for overcoming challenges as people settled America. With Thanksgiving approaching in this very challenging year, isn’t it even more appropriate to be grateful? After all, an attitude of gratitude is healthful.

In fact, gratitude may be one of the most overlooked tools for wellness that anyone can access. Cultivating gratitude doesn’t cost any money and it certainly doesn’t take much time, but the benefits are enormous. Read more