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It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here! There is a beautiful dusting of snow, and more to come today, giant blow up Santas (that border on scary) are on people's front lawns, and it's not taboo for me to listen to Christmas music around the clock. Last month was questionable, I get it, but no Karens were harmed in the making of my merriment, so Holiday Success!
I'm a firm believer in sweeping all problems under the rug throughout the Holidays and then picking them up again in the New Year, but for some that just doesn't work. Today's post is going to focus on health and wellness surrounding the Holiday Season. Any stress you're carrying in your life is going to be exacerbated this time of the year, so instead of letting yourself go and succumbing to the demons that I swear are hiding in my friend Ashley's cookies (they call to me), here are some things that have kept me feeling great!
For Your Physical Health: energy, flexibility, strength, fitness, sleep, beauty, immunity, and nutrition.
Gut Health: Your gut is SO important for a million reasons, but this time of the year it is doubly important because a healthy gut contributes to a strong immune system. I've listed this as the #1 most important because it is linked to just about everything else I'll discuss here, including: resistance to stress, clear skin and hair growth, mood and hormone balance, energy, seasonal allergies, cognitive function, and your body's ability to absorb crucial nutrients. Because I have FMF, I suffer a lot of inflammation. Eating inflammatory foods wreaks havoc on my gut, so I've gotten really good at staying away from them! Inflammatory foods include: dairy, red meat, alcohol, vegetable oils (think soy, not EVOO), and anything processed (zebra cakes and McDonalds = bad). Instead I reach for nutrient rich, natural foods. It's hard to get enough of what you need every day, so I supplement with superfood powders and try to drink a protein smoothie daily. I also take a Probiotic, and give one that's kid specific to Valen, too. It helps keep us regular and poop-picture impressive, if you'd like to know.
What I don't do: subscribe to any fad diets. No diet in which you cannot eat organic spinach but you can eat bacon or sausage is going to be good for you for the long haul. Overhaul your way of thinking about food and your body WILL change. With that said, it's the Holiday season and you're crazy if you think I don't drink beer or eat pie sometimes. The name of the game is moderation!
Hair Health: I did a big chop a few months ago and am starting fresh with my hair! No more bleach (I'm a brunette now!), I rarely use heat, rarely use shampoo, and massage/oil my hair every single day. My hair has been growing quickly and looks so much healthier. In addition to a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and protein (smoothies, eggs, salmon, etc.) I supplement with superfood powders, and take a pumpkin seed oil pill every night before bed. Pumpkin seed oil is believed to protect against chronic disease, inflammation, is rich vitamins, and is a natural DHT blocker thought to promote hair growth! Between that and the homemade rinses I'm using, I've seen more hair growth (I believe) than I would without.
Favorite Hair Care Products:
Skin Health: the Northeast has not been kind to my skin. I haven't had a pimple in years and that's mostly due to the hot and humid Floridian climate. The dry, cold weather here has meant that I need to go back to a rigorous skincare regimen so I don't over produce oil and break out. I'm not wearing makeup unless I have plans that call for me not looking like total crap (rarity), I wash my face every night before bed at minimum, and added Hyaluronic acid to my skincare routine. This all sounds very vein in a Health and Wellness post, but your skin and hair are clear reflections (hehe, get it) of your health and wellness! If they look like crap then imagine what your insides look like. Also, it's okay to want to look as good as you feel.
Favorite Skin Care Products:
If you need a little extra boost in your fruit and vegetable intake, try these for a festive twist!
Mocha Smoothie (add mint, for good Holiday times):
Organic Frozen Banana
Organic Fresh Spinach
Organic Frozen Avocado
Organic Cacao
Organic Chia Seeds
Organic Flaxseed
Vanilla Protein Powder (I used Plant Based)
YourSuper Golden Mellow, Super Green, and Mellow Mushroom
Cold Brew Coffee, unsweetened
Organic Almond Milk
Apple Pie Smoothie:
Organic Apple
Frozen Organic Banana
Steel Cut Oats
Organic Pumpkin or Apple Pie Spice
Vanilla Protein Powder
Organic Almond Milk
Organic Peanut Butter
YourSuper Super Green, Plant Collagen, and Power Matcha
Pumpkin Spiced Smoothie:
Organic Frozen Banana
Organic Pureed Pumpkin
Organic Pumpkin Spice
YourSuper Golden Mellow, Super Green, and Plant Collagen
Vanilla Protein Powder
Organic Almond Milk
Flexibility, Strength, and Fitness: my diet has been healthy for a while, and I have been pretty consistent with my Barre classes for the last couple of years. I've noticed, though, in the last several months, that in focusing more on stretching I've been able to get a lot stronger. With stretching and being more conscious about what nutrients I'm consuming, I also have less miserable recovery in between workouts. This especially matters after leg day (my nemesis)! Also, if you're shopping and some lady grabs the scarf you wanted to buy for Grandpa Carmichael, you will be better able to "mindfully" snatch it out of her lizard hands if you work out daily. Just sayin'. #nomercyhappyholidays
What I use:
Openfit: This subscription has been a game changer for me. I only use the Xtend Barre, Pilates, and Stretching programs but they have made all the difference. Because I have FMF I have a lot of trouble with high impact workouts. These workouts use mostly your own body weight, are low impact, and have been easy for me to stick to without any injury.
Resistance Bands: I started using these, and have since graduated to these. I loved the peach bands, but found that the stronger I got the more they'd flip up on me.
15-20 lb Kettlebell: I use a 15 lb sand filled kettlebell that I got from TJ Maxx. I love it, and if I drop it on my head I'm less likely to die.
Yoga Mat: I love this one because it rolls up in to a little Velcro carrying case. It's lasted a few years (probably because of the case) and offers me lots of cushy protection for my knees!
Weekly hikes with Grandpa around Pennsylvania: these have been so much fun. I've gotten to hike so many spots I didn't even know existed, and have reconnected with this beautiful state that I don't think I ever fully appreciated when I was a kid. Here are some of the places we've walked and a couple we hope to walk!
Dingmans Falls
McDade Trail (several entrances)
Cornelia and Florence Bridge
Milford Knob
Hacker's Falls
Getting out and enjoying nature is in the "physical" category, but it's helped so much with my emotional well being and mental clarity as well. It's hard not to be thankful when you're looking at stunning waterfalls, trees so high you can't see to the tops, and fallen leaves bigger than your kid's head (and she got a dome, ya'll). So go play in the snow with your dog, take a walk to check out Christmas lights, or go for a hike with Grandpa. I promise, it will help.
For Your Mental and Emotional Health: sleep, mindfulness, socializing, occupational wellness
Plenty of Sleep: I find reading before bed, less coffee (I limit myself to two cups) and exercise during the day has made a huge difference in my sleep. I sleep like the actual dead now, and there is currently a considerable amount of stress on my plate so it's definitely more about those changes that I've made than about me being perfectly happy. Every once in a while when I have a hard time falling asleep I'll pop a 5 mg Melatonin gummy but I rarely need it now. It's Christmas movie season, so my plan is to watch the evening's selection earlier, and then fall asleep reading so I don't have TV brain/eyes. It's also going to be a definite struggle during the next couple of months sticking to my 2 cups of coffee max since it's freezing outside and peppermint mocha almond creamer exists in the world, but I'm committed. No excuses not to work out since the snow can't stop me from walking to the living room!
Setting healthy boundaries: this has been hard for me my whole life, but as I get older I'm trying to be more mindful about giving up too much of myself in order to make other people happy. I'm making time for myself, and what's important to me, and cutting out toxicity (that's anyone who or anything that causes me stress and doesn't positively contribute to my life). I'm also working harder at being that same positive force in the lives of the people I love. This is something that a lot of you Holiday People Pleasers probably need to hear: you can't please them all, and anyone who isn't made happy by your happiness wasn't on your team in the first place.
Socializing: Nurture the relationships that are important to you, and let go of ones that are causing you harm. I've been spending more quality time with Valen, especially since she's doing Cyberschool this year. Living close to my family has given me the beautiful opportunity to watch my nephews grow up, go on weekly hikes with my dad and brother, and listen to my sister talk about all the smells she smells. Every week we get together with our mommy group so our kids can play in holes or destroy someone else's house for a day. It's been so wonderful to have a group of friends with kids Valen's age. We vent, laugh, and sometimes gossip, but I always leave feeling fulfilled and my kid is thriving.
Finding happiness in the workplace: I'm getting ready to kick my newly structured business into high gear after the New Year, but I already feel such a huge weight off of my shoulders. I am focusing on the aspects of my work that make me the happiest. I believe wholeheartedly that doing what I love to do is going to provide me with the most room for positive growth. Here's to 2022 being the best year ever! I know a lot of people feel stuck in their jobs and can't envision a different life, but: Julia Child published her first cookbook at 50; Vera Wang entered the fashion industry at 40 and that's the age Stan Lee was when he published his first hit; Frank McCourt didn't write anything, let alone a Pulitzer winner, until 65; and it's not too late for you either. Figure out what makes you happy and find a way to make money doing it.
When I started writing this blog post the snow started falling. It's finally stopping right now and the kids are suited up and outside enjoying it. I'm snuggled up in obnoxious wool socks, with the Christmas tree lit up and in view. There's a Santa sitting on the table next to me for company, and the house is serenely quiet. I'm superstitiously knocking on the wooden Santa because I haven't gotten sick yet this season, and hoping that all of this "self care" stuff is the reason. Cheers to each and every one of you this season: may you exit unscathed, and maybe even enjoy it. Healthily. A lot. You deserve to be well and thrive, this time of the year and every day after.
xoxo,
Alyssa Claus
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