Let’s be honest here: Who here doesn’t love a good party—especially a good Christmas party.
During the holiday season, we often show just how much we love these parties by busting our bodies and overindulging, and then paying the price.
Partying can be beneficial
In fact, partying can be beneficial in some ways with studies showing that our happiness levels rise when we are surrounded by friends.
But if you’re flaking out half way through the party and paying the price the next day, this could be bad news for your body, your brain and potentially your soul.
The good news is, if you follow these steps – you can enjoy yourself during the merrymaking season of endless parties, and still be the last one standing without destroying your body, mind and soul.
Step 1 – Make a Christmas party plan and stick to it
The first step is to set your priorities and get clear on what you want.
If you love going to Christmas parties, go for it!
But remember that you don’t have to attend every single party you have been invited to just to keep up with all the hustle and bustle.
Before you start the party season, it’s a good idea to set your priorities and plan.
- Start by making a list of all the events you have been invited to
- Then identify which ones are most valuable and have meaning to you.
- Let’s face it, quality is always worth more than quantity!
Scientific studies assessed whether measures of health, well-being, and sleepiness are better related to sleep quality or sleep quantity.
And guess what they discovered…
“Average sleep quality was better related to health, affect balance, satisfaction with life, and feelings of tension, depression, anger, fatigue, and confusion than average sleep quantity.”
It has been scientifically proven that when you increase quantity you will likely compromise quality.
Be sure to include Sleep
I recommend you get your nightly sleep and also supplement with an afternoon party nap the day of the party.
There are many benefits of slumber.
- Sleep plays a vital role in maintaining good health, healthy brain function and emotional wellbeing.
- Getting enough quality sleep at the right times can help you have more energy and better focus!
Step 2 – Party strategy
Having a party strategy sets up a solid framework to help you streamline your thinking and eliminates the stress of having to make food and alcohol choices on the spot.
Your goal is to get through the party season feeling physically and emotionally balanced while retaining all the precious fun memories.
Here is an example of a healthy party strategy:
Eat:
Drinking on an empty stomach will have you flacking out half way though the party and that’s not fun.
- Eat a combination of complex carbohydrates and protein – such as a salad with chicken, avocado, sweet potato and lots of greens – before going out.
- Proteins and fats take longer to digest, so they will stay with you longer and continue to work their anti-spins magic.
Eat at the party
Keep snacking once you get to the party, and continue to eat while you drink.
- Having food in your stomach will slow the rate of alcohol absorption and will encourage you to drink slower.
Drink water:
Drink plenty of water the day of the party and leave a large glass of water by the bed for when you get home, to prevent dehydrating headaches the next day.
Rehydrate
Hydration is essential for maintaining proper brain function.
- Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it makes you pee more, which can lead to dehydration (one of the major causes of getting sick from drinking, and also of hangovers).
- Dehydration will result in a headache and make decision making more challenging, leading you down a nasty path very quickly
Aim to have once glass of water for every alcoholic beverage you consume.
Do some exercise.
Movement will help your lymphatic system work and boost your immune system.
- Exercise also stimulates your digestive system, and there will be plenty of good feel- endorphins circulating around your body.
Step 3 – Dose up on Vitamin C
One of the most powerful antioxidants known to man is vitamin C.
Vitamin C contributes to immune defense by supporting various cellular functions of both the innate and adaptive immune system.
- Supports a healthy immune system and optimal overall health
- Helps protect cells from the damage caused by harmful free radicals
- Promotes muscle repair and recovery.
Excessive exposure to alcohol interferes with the pancreas’ ability to absorb vitamin C.
Increasing your Vitamin C dose, during the party season, will ensure you stay healthy and have lots of energy to party.
Here are some natural vitamin C sources:
- Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower.
- Oranges and most citrus fruit
- Green and red peppers.
- Spinach, cabbage, turnip greens, and other leafy greens.
- Sweet and white potatoes.
- Tomatoes and tomato juice.
- Winter squash.
And here is a powerful vitamin C supplement that you might want to make friends with over the party season.
The benefits of this product…
Vitamin C cannot work unless it gets into the bloodstream. Other forms of vitamin C succumb to absorption barriers.
The reason I love this product so much is because Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C uses lipsomes made from phospholipids- the same material that makes up your cells-to encapsulate the nutrient and maximize absorption.
What does this mean for you?
Pace yourself by pretending that you are an athlete at an endurance event.
- Listen to your body signals and respect those messages.
- Remember it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
“There is more wisdom in your body than in your deepest philosophy” – Friedrich Nietzsche
Now I have a few questions for you….
- What would be the most beneficial step for you to action in order to feel happy and energetic during the merrymaking season of endless parties?
I would love to hear your feedback, thoughts and any questions you have on this article.
Please write a comment below.
The Carousel would like to thank Irene Gellar for her article.
