The holiday season is typically a season of gatherings full of loved ones and holiday cheer. It’s also a time where an abundance of sweet treats, adult beverages, and stress overfill your nervous system. This overstimulation can lead to weakened immune systems, poor digestion, poor nutrient consumption, and eventually total burnout and illness.

Even though this is a common predicament in the US, it is far from normal and it doesn’t have to be your reality. Today, I’m going to share some of my top secrets for creating a healthier, nourishing, and vibrant holiday season.

Diet: Most holiday foods are high in refined carbs, high in inflammatory fats, and loaded with sugar. This combination is a recipe for disaster as it increases blood sugar levels, insulin, cholesterol, cortisol and decreases your body’s ability to detoxify. Instead, try to eat a balanced diet that’s full of vegetables (other than potatoes), lean protein, healthy fats and a bit of complex carbs. If you can, try to go gluten free! This will help lift your mood and create a happier brain.

If you’re concerned about missing out on all the delicious holiday favorites, I’ve got you covered. Check out these healthier versions that don’t sacrifice flavor:

Raw Cranberry Sauce (my own recipe with video instructions)

Raw Pumpkin Pie (my own recipe with video instructions)

Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Mash (in place of mashed potatoes)

Delicious Sweet Potato Casserole

Drinks: Drinking alcohol messes with blood sugar regulation and sex hormones such as estrogen. This is because the liver is the only organ charged with processing your alcohol. When alcohol is consumed, it prioritizes processing the liver before blood sugar and/or estrogen. As you can see, it can directly impact your endocrine system in pretty big ways. That’s not including the added empty calories alcohol brings to the table. So that I don’t feel like I’m deprived, I like to keep the ritual behind drinking, but ditch the alcohol. For example, I like to create a mindset of fun and relaxation while having a mocktail in a fancy glass. Here are some amazing healthy mocktail options to explore:

Mango Blackberry Kombucha Mocktail

Cranberry Apple & Rosemary Mocktail

Blackberry and Lime Cranberry Mocktail

7 Other Delicious Ones Can be Found Here

Movement and Nature: Even though the days are shorter, exposing yourself to natural light as often throughout the day is critical for your circadian rhythm and boosting your spirits. Adding movement in is even better! Movement increases your insulin sensitivity and increases endorphins leaving you in better spirits! Just bundle up when you do so!

In alignment with the season of gratitude, join me in paying thankfulness through the connection of movement and music! Dance with me in this video.

Mindset: Celebrate the good – look for the good in everything. You are the author of your story which means you get to choose what your current chapter and next chapter look like. This holiday season, create an intention around how you’d like your holiday story to look and feel.

Create Zen: The holidays can be stressful, but 90% of what happens to us in life is how we respond, while 10% is what actually happens. This holiday and winter season, create a mindset of abundance and a life that’s full of nourishment. By practicing things such as gratitude journaling, meditation, yoga, tai chi, breathwork, engaging in hobbies, creating an intention to laugh and play daily will help to cultivate a calm nervous system leaving you more resilient and adaptable to life’s situations.

Connect: Lastly, remember the true meaning of the holidays – to gather and reflect on something more meaningful than your individual self. We are social creates and spending deep, soulful connections with others – whether that’s in person or virtually, lowers stress hormones and promotes great health.

From my heart to yours, I wish you a healthy and happy holiday season!

With Love & Gratitude,

Lisa Jackson