Make your holidays happier by following this Holiday Drinking Guide of 5 helpful Mindful Drinking Tips for the Holiday Season.
There are so many great reasons to love the holidays but making mindful choices now is important for maintaining your health, especially when it comes to alcohol consumption.
It's easy to get carried away with drinking when you're in a celebratory mood. We all have a limit of alcohol we can consume without getting a headache the next day, yet we can easily exceed that amount without proper planning.
Alcohol can affect thyroid function in both healthy people and those with an existing thyroid condition. Alcohol and hypothyroidism do not have the best relationship since the alcohol can significantly alter how your thyroid works. If you already have an underactive thyroid, even moderate alcohol consumption over time may cause goiter and inflammation.
At the end of the day, we all have a choice to make. Some may decide, "the hell with it" and drink until they can't feel their face. While others may decide to avoid alcohol altogether. During the holidays,I've learned to drink in moderation to allow myself to enjoy a few holiday cocktails while sometimes I may opt for a festive mocktail.
Here are some mindful alcohol consumption tips to help you make it from Thanksgiving to the New Year without face-planting this holiday season.
5 Mindful Drinking Tips for the Holiday Season:
Stay Hydrated
It may sound obvious, but it can be easier said than done. Alcohol, being the diuretic it is, causes your body to remove fluids from your blood through your renal system, making your potential hangover worse than it would've had you proactively stayed hydrated.
Drinking water will not only help keep you hydrated but also help to fill you up and possibly avoid over drinking. I always try to remember to drink water before, during and after drinking alcohol. Try the 1-for-1 rule, drink one glass of water for every alcoholic drink. Having shots? Chase them with water. Red wine is known as " healthy heart drinks ", but even when drinking wine you should still consume water. The key is to try to remain as hydrated as possible.
Eat Before Drinking
At one time or another, we've all experienced drinking on an empty stomach. I'm sure you can remember how you quickly felt the effects of the alcohol in a matter of minutes. Also, when drinking alcohol, you may notice an increase in your appetite. This is usually the time when you'll be tempted to eat ANY food within arms reach but a little planning can go a long way.
When you eat a meal before drinking, you tend to be better off, because the rate of alcohol absorption into the bloodstream slows down and the body works to absorb it in a more manageable way. Opt for small bite-sized appetizers such as fruits and veggies with a dip, popcorn, nuts or whole-wheat crackers with cheese as snacking staples while drinking.
Set a Drink Limit
Different types of alcohol have many different effects on the body. Before going to a holiday get-together this season, set a drink limit for the night. Most people tend to stick to a two drink minimum at a party. It can be tempting to push the drink limit aside when you're in the moment and partying. We've all had one of those nights where we partied a little too hard and had one too many drinks that ended in a horrible hangover. So remind yourself of the possible repercussions the next day and how you felt the last time you overdid it.
Pace Yourself
Choose a drink that you enjoy and that you're familiar with, so you don't thoughtlessly rush through it. Taste it. Savor it. Enjoy it. Also, it's best to skip the 1000 drinking games that tend to happen at parties. You're more likely to put yourself in a dangerous situation, embarrass yourself, or even suffer alcohol poisoning. Once you finish your first alcoholic drink, remember to follow it with a hydrating, nonalcoholic beverage, preferably water. Practice this same tip for every drink after.
Be Mindful
Be intentional and alert about how you're feeling. Ask yourself regularly if enjoying another cocktail is at the expense of your own well-being. If over indulging yourself will leave you feeling awful or it doesn't sit well with you, stop drinking. And if you're offered another drink, it's not offensive to simply say "no, thank you."
More Tips for Staying Healthy
5 Ways to Overcome Food Guilt During the Holidays
5 Simple Ways to Improve Your Nutrition and Wellness
Holiday Survival Tips - Keep Your Health on Track During the Holidays
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Disclaimer: I am not a Registered Dietitian or Physical Trainer. The nutrition and diet information provided on my blog is not to be interpreted as medical nutrition therapy or advice. If you are on any medications for chronic disease or other health issues, please consult your doctor or health care provider before making any significant changes to your health and wellness.
Carola Jain says
Hydration can't be stressed enough, so while it's fine to enjoy a beverage now and again, keeping hydrated is even more important during the holiday season. Great insight here!