Kendall Hassemer (photo by Anna Joy Photo)Kendall Hassemer is in the business of staying well: as a nutrition lecturer at UCSB, a yoga instructor, and an integrative medicine practitioner with a local private practice, she has more than a few wellness tips up her sleeve. We asked her to offer 5 ways to stay healthy during the holidays, and here's what she came up with:1) Spending time with family is special but not always easy. Set moments aside in your day to kindly excuse yourself to go for a walk alone, step into another room to take 5-10 deep and easy breaths, or stretch it out with a little yoga here and there. This decreases any tendency toward overwhelm and overstimulation and gives your mind and body a much-needed refresher. Reset and go!2) An abundance of treats and alcohol can seem sweet in the moment but may leave you feeling hungover and unsatisfied at the end of the holidays. When you pass by the dessert table or are asked if you want another drink, take a moment and check in with your body. Ask yourself, "Do I really want or need this? Is another piece of holiday mint chocolate cheesecake going to serve me and make my life better in this moment?"If the answer is YES! then all out, with reckless abandon, go for it! Know in your heart that this choice is wonderful right now, even though you know you may not feel so great later on.If the answer is No, practice politely saying "No, thank you," even before you start attending festivities, especially if you tend to be a people pleaser. You'll feel better knowing you have truly honored YOU! A polite refusal can create healthier boundaries in your life - something that could extend long beyond the holiday season.3) Sing! Sing in the shower, while you're getting ready, and while you're driving to events. Research shows that singing lowers the incidence of depression and low mood, even if your voice is, well, not that great. Check out this article from Time magazine and learn how to increase your sense of connectedness (and thereby longevity!) and push back those holiday blues. Christmas caroling, anyone?4) Long before anything gets started in the morning, get outside and go for a walk. It's a great exercise (no pun intended) for whomever is around and would like to join. It gets your blood moving, bolsters your immune system, improves digestion, burns a few calories, and is a great social bonding activity prior to a busy day of planning and prepping, hustling and bustling. #getoutside5) Stick to your basic routine as best you can while managing a full-on calendar. Make time for rest and adequate sleep (8-10 hours), and be sure to take your regular supplements and medications on time. You are exposed to a lot more people (think sick kiddos and coworkers) and likely you're busier than usual, so you want to keep your immune and nervous system as primed as possible. Keep your health and wellbeing on track - the best gift you can give yourself this (sometimes stressful) holiday season!Be wildly well!Follow Kendall:Website: drkendallhassemer.comIG: kendallhassemerFacebook: Dr Kendall Hassemer
