It’s been one heck of a year, hasn’t it? If facing the 2020 holidays is making your stomach turn, here are some ways to turn that around.
Medical experts say your digestive system doesn’t operate very well under stress and negative emotions. So you need to stay calm and maintain a healthy digestive bloodflow with a corresponding supply of essential nutrients and oxygen.
In other words, take the stress out of holiday eating.
Keep your gatherings small and your menus light. You are not a Mercy Chef feeding the world.
Choose menu items that can be prepared ahead of time, or better yet, call The Smithfield Gourmet Cafe and make reservations, or order something delicious for take-out for the whole family.
Does it matter where the food originates? No! Invite everyone to bring a dish and share the mealtime burden!
Don’t multitask at meal time. Mindful eating can cure chronic digestive issues and aniety, says Dr. Shawn Postma, a naturopathic physician.
“The act of being mindful, or mindfulness, is being in a nonjudgmental state of awareness in the present moment. It is the difference between shoveling food down your throat and slowing down to enjoy your food,” he said in a recent article on pccmarkets.com.
So, turn off the tv. Step away from your desk. Park yourself at a dining table with friends and family, enjoy the company, taste the food. And you’ll feel better.
EXTRA TIPS FROM DR. POSTMA
Schedule a visit with your local naturopathic doctor or someone who does biofeedback therapy. Biofeedback is a great therapy to provide feedback on the state of your nervous system and techniques for balancing stress.
Support your nervous system and adrenal glands by getting plenty of sleep, rest and exercise; eating a balanced diet; drinking half your body weight in ounces of water; and cutting out sugar and caffeine.
Supplements such as B-vitamin complex, magnesium, vitamin C, Tulsi (Holy Basil), Ashwagandha, or Rescue Remedy may be helpful as well.
Stimulate your digestion 15 minutes before eating by taking Swedish bitters, which generally help to increase hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes.
Dr. Postma holds a doctorate in naturopathic medicine from Bastyr University and a B.A. in sociology from the University of Puget Sound. You can read his full article, HERE.
