# 1:  Avoid Multitasking

It’s easy to fall into the habit of grabbing food and inhaling it while getting other things done. Don’t. Practice mindful eating. When eating, focus on your food, and your food alone. Don’t eat while driving, gift wrapping, or cruising shopping malls. Always do your best, even at parties, to sit down while eating. Look at your food. Appreciate its colors and aromas. Savor each bite. You will feel good, both physically and emotionally.

#2:  Don’t Starve Yourself Before the Party

Remember to eat a healthy snack before you go to the holiday party! Then, when you arrive to the party, enjoy other pleasures – good company, beautiful decorations, smiling children. It will be much easier to make healthy choices at the buffet if you’re not starved!

#3:  Get Enough Sleep

“The more sleep-deprived you are, the higher is your level of the stress hormone cortisol, which makes you feel hungry,” says Dr. Stolyar, Clinical Investigator at Boston Clinical Trials. “Worse, it’s not like you’re going to be ravenous for kale salad, it’s chips and burgers that will be on your mind.”

When we are stressed, our bodies try to produce a chemical called serotonin to calm down. The easiest way to do that is by eating high-fat, high-carb foods. That’s a wrong way of dealing with stress. No matter how busy you are, keep your original sleep schedule.

#4:  Get Organized

There are so many things to do… and so little time to get ready! Your response? Be organized. Put together the gift list and the to-do list. Then prune both ruthlessly! Ask yourself, “If I don’t do this now, what’s going to happen?” Do less, enjoy more!

#5:  Share the Chores

We go overboard during the holidays: home decoration, shopping, cooking, sending cards, you name it. But remember, you are not alone! Share your tasks with friends and relatives- it makes it more fun!

Happy Holidays from BCT!

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