2023 Reflections and My Top 5 Tips to Keep Christmas Day Healthy and Enjoyable

It’s here! Christmas is nearly upon us and the end of the year is close. What better time than now to reflect on our journey through 2023.

This week I want to briefly ask you to consider 3 areas of your life and how well you have done, and think about what you could do to improve those areas in 2024?

I will also give you my Top 5 Tips to keep Christmas day both healthy and enjoyable!

So how was 2023?

Reflections are key to moving forward; if you have finished this year not as healthy or as happy as you would like, consider these 3 questions, take time to ponder them and learn from your answers.

1.       Are you happy?
Happiness comes from progression, moving forward, and achieving things, be that in relationships, business/work and health. So, if your happiness could be improved next year, what are your goals? What actions can you take daily to keep moving forward?

2.       Are you in pain?
Pain is a warning, as you have heard me say before. Is your body still giving you warning signs? As much as our adjustments can help. Have you considered your habits that may be causing pain? Listen to your body and change the habit.

3.       Can you run for the bus?
Now I know we all have differing mobilities, but within your physical capabilities, could you move quicker, are you feeling fit enough to do some exercise?

These questions are not meant to beat you up, but to help you reflect. A goal for 2024 is not enough, it does not create change. So a better question to ask ourselves is ‘what are the actions and habits I will commit to next year’?

In line with the 3 above, here would be my Top Tips:

1.       Take 5 minutes daily to be grateful. Pause and be thankful for the good in your life.

2.       Listen to the pain. Identify the habits that trigger your pain and stop them.

3.       Exercise daily. Be it squats in the living room or a fast walk that makes you sweat.

And as promised, for the big day itself, here are my Top Tips to survive the chaos!

1.       Drink water first.
Drink a good amount of water before the day starts, hydrate ahead of the dehydrating drinks (coffee and alcohol). The water also stretches the stomach to help you feel full and prevent overindulging.

2.       Protein to start.
When the big plate comes out, eat the meat first. Protein is what tells your brain that you are full. If you eat it first, you’ll end up eating less.

3.       Family first.
It’s not about the presents it’s about the people. Humans are pack animals. We are designed innately to be amongst others, this will make us feel happier than any number of presents. Make the focus the people not the presents.

4.       Dance the funky chicken (or walk).

Don’t forget to move, dance off that food from the day.

5.       Be grateful.
When the day is all said and done. Pause before you close your eyes to be grateful for all you have received and achieved this year.

Thank you for your support and trust in Epoch, it is such a pleasure to serve you. I wish you and your loved ones a fabulous festive period.

With love,

Tom