How to navigate a guilt-free Christmas
- krischetcuti
- 18h
- 2 min read
Plan your eating
Decide in advance which days they will fully indulge (e.g., office party, Christmas Day, Boxing Day). Mark them in their calendar. On these days you will truly savour your favourite foods without guilt! because you’ve allocated a special day for it. Eat slowly enjoying every bite of the food that you absolutely love (that includes Christmas cake), put their fork down between bites and savour the flavour, go ‘Mmm’. One indulgent meal doesn’t ruin your health plan. Just listen to your body and stop when full, enjoy without guilt. Your indulgence will be a choice, not a lapse.
Plan your movement
Come what may, DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT, start thinking ‘Oh I need to burn off this food’ while you’re still eating! Just enjoy the meal. Then after, suggest a gentle activity to help digest and energise after indulgence: a walk, taking the dog round the block, or maybe, some light dancing? The idea is that you enjoy the season actively, without guilt. If guilt creeps in, flip it around into gratitude: I am so grateful for this food, for this moment etc. Â
Plan your social interactions
Allow room for mixed emotions. Joy and sadness often travel together at Christmas. Letting both feelings coexist is healthier than forcing cheer. You can keep certain interactions short, choose neutral settings, or build in small buffers like a walk before and after you have a difficult interaction. Instead of trying to be everywhere and everything, decide on three events that actually matter this season. Celebrate the Real Christmas not the Perfect Christmas so don’t fret over mismatched schedules, uneven moods, or burnt edges on the roast. This is normal, not a failure.
And if this does not suffice and you need a little guidance to navigate through Christmas in a smoother-than-usual manner, a health coach can be your elf!
