Overindulging in December vs Health Kick in January

 

Introduction

 

For many of us, the build-up to Christmas and New Year is meant going out for celebratory drinks, trying tasty goods at Christmas markets and buying gifts for our loved ones. Also known as ‘the most wonderful time of the year’, it was easy to indulge, which might have led to poor choices of less nutritious and immune-boosting foods specifically needed during the switches of temperature and cold months. 

 

However, when the new year hits, many of us feel more inclined to start a health kick, commonly referred to as the ‘New Year, New Me’. Beginning a new year after several weeks of indulgence can feel daunting and challenging. January is a popular choice for many to optimise their health by making better food choices and going to the gym.

 

 

Overindulging in December

 

We all make random choices over the Christmas period. Treating yourself can feel rewarding, and you shouldn’t feel guilty about enjoying delicious foods and drinks. However, we may regret consuming something we know is not the best healthy option. We know what makes a good option and we don’t need to be told about exercising and a diet without sugar, alcohol and tobacco.

 

Overindulgence through overeating and overdrinking is something that, long term, does not bring you the result you want. To avoid this, you can learn to plan your indulgences and feel comfortable when you do them, knowing that it is a special occasion and that you are also in control mindfully. I promise you that planning an indulgence is a life changer.

 

 

Healthy Habits

 

Here are two different methods to try to control your eating habits. Firstly, use your prefrontal cortex to make decisions in advance. Promise yourself only to have two or three glasses of wine, be specific about how many glasses in advance. Whether you will have bread and desserts, decide in advance. You may find that the atmosphere of an event will trigger emotions in your brain that may tempt you to exceed your pre-planned limits. 

 

Damage limitation is the second method you could use. If you know the restaurant or bar you are attending before your visit, access their menu, which is usually featured online, and choose what you want to eat and drink in advance. This method uses forward thinking and planning to limit the damage in the foreseeable future. Those who drink alcohol can fairly say it is harder to maintain and make sensible decisions after a couple of drinks. However, forward-thinking will allow you to consciously follow your plan without exceeding your limit and avoid feelings of self-regret afterwards. 

 

 

Health Kick in January

 

January commonly brings out the ‘New Year, New Me’ in people, so what is this really about? Well, after a month of sweets and treats, we commonly gain weight or crave a fresh start. People tend to improve and declutter themselves on the outside to reach inner peace. 

 

We all have self-admin and work admin that we care for, but it can be easy to put aside and forget about. When we complete these admin tasks, we gain great satisfaction and happiness. This often motivates us to carry out more self admin type jobs. You could begin by decluttering the physical space around you, by deciding what you want to keep to start with, and then by getting rid of things you no longer need. If you can, avoid throwing away items, instead, take them to a local charity shop or, if possible, sell them within a short set period of time. Removing them from your physical space will also clear your mind and give you a buzz that may motivate you to declutter. 

 

 

Decluttering and Tidying

 

Internal organising creates external organising. So first organise your mind. 

 

Journal about memories, hidden thoughts, desires, ideas, judgments, negative self-talk, positive self-talk, what you are grateful for, and your achievements and failures. Make a list of at least 10 per category, and feel free to add any additional ones. Clean up the space of your mindset, which is, in simple words, your entire belief system.

 

Beginning the New Year may seem like a struggle, so here are a few tips and tricks to ensure you feel decluttered in your home and in your mind. Firstly, aim to remove clutter by category, not location, there needs to be some level of order to avoid clearing clutter just for the sake of it. Start with what you want to keep, what you love, what has sentimental value, and what you use and only after remove the things you don’t want anymore. This way, you will likely have a thorough clean-out and mentally feel decluttered by the end. 

 

If you struggle with what is important to you and what you have an emotional attachment to, separate them within their categories. Then decide which holds the most functional and emotional features and what is more important to you from here.

 

As we say goodbye to items, we might find that we will say goodbye to relationships, activities or thoughts and create space to welcome new ones. When you let go, you create a new version, an updated self. 

 

Do an inventory of what you have before constraining. Think about the things in your life, the friendships, the people that come and go, and everything you engage with. Think about your habits and list all these by categories. What would you keep, and what would you rather let go of? Ask yourself if you love that particular item, if you would connect with that person again if it has ever and is still supporting your growth. Decide at the moment and commit to your decision. 

 

Embrace the empty space left, feel it and let it be before filling it up on purpose or naturally. 

 

Keep only one very important emotional thing and place it somewhere where you can see it all the time so you can use it as a focus point. People are not things, and letting go of things that remind you of past people will make space for new rewarding encounters.

 

 

January Actions

 

As you create space for new thoughts, new ideas and physical space around you, imagine your future self. What is the best self you can imagine? This is an exercise that I love to do in order to make new habits stick. How the self that you want to be will behave, how will you speak, how will you dress, what will you eat, when, and how? How would you use it first if you had a limited amount of energy? 

 

Developing good habits sooner rather than later will help you delve into the new year. It is easy to have had a mindset during the festive season to deal with diets, exercising and clearing in the new year. However, creating new healthy and effective habits before the New Year can benefit your physical and mental state in advance for the new year. 

 

Some aims that you are capable of achieving: 

• Limit unhealthy foods, it is easy to want to eat ready-made meals and snacks during the cooler months, but don’t let this become a routine.
• Get at least +20 minutes of exercise every day, even though it may be cold or wet. It is important to keep getting our daily fresh air.
• Eat your veggies and fruit. Oranges are one of my winter favourites, they are tasty and full of vitamin C, which is crucial for fighting the common cold. In terms of veggies broccoli, carrots, turnip and kale are my top choices.
• Drink water to stay hydrated, it is easy to forget to drink water in the cooler seasons. Remembering to drink a few glasses of water a day will keep your body hydrated inside and outside, preventing dry skin and lips.

 

 

Conclusion

 

Tidying isn’t easy for all of us, and it is popular to create emotional attachments to items we have kept for a long time. You are faced with decisions daily, and it is most important to focus on choosing what will benefit you the most. Indulging will make you feel happier during the present but even happier when you control your indulgences and don’t exceed your limits. 

 

Although a new year may seem daunting and challenging, striding into the year with early-developed, healthy habits will make establishing the best version of you easier in the long run.