Feed Yourself What Gives You Joy

The holiday season has always been thought of as an extended opportunity for joy. While there are inherent stresses this time of year, busyness, planning, shopping, travel, family dynamics, etc., there has always been a bit of magic that shines through: beautiful snowy nights, tree lights, decorated streets and homes, gatherings w/family, friends and co-workers, music, and of course holiday movies. For the last two years, some of this has been lost, pulled back, and tempered for safety. Additionally, many of us have found ourselves exhausted by the ongoing pandemic and the toll it has taken on our health and our psychology, both culturally and personally. A little bit of joy has been lost.

Here’s the thing, joy is nourishing, like food, or a vitamin. When we experience joy, our bodies produce serotonin, the happy chemical, which is received in our gut. There, it boosts both our digestive and immune systems. It also boosts our endorphins, gives us energy, reduces our cravings, improves sleep, and makes us feel more ‘full.’

So many of us have struggled with depression, anxiety, and extra pounds during the pandemic, often using food to fill in where we’re deprived of connection, physical activity, travel, and celebrations with family/friends.

This holiday season, let’s intentionally bring back some of the magic! No matter where you are, or what you’ll be doing, feed yourself what gives you joy, and flood your body with the gift of serotonin.

What brings you joy? Here are some things on my list:

Strings lights
Ice skating
Hot chocolate (I’m loving Essential Living Foods hot cocoa mix sweetened with monk fruit, or sometimes I’ll make my own with cacao powder sweetened w/coconut palm sugar)
Giving (cards, gifts, attention, service, love)
Yummy tea (chai rooibus with vanilla oat milk is my fave!)
Outdoor shopping (in LA I love walking around the Grove or Americana with everything lit up, in NYC I loved the holiday crafts set up in Union Square)
Connection with loved ones. While Covid has put a damper on some of this, I’m gathering locally and safely with those who I can, and zooming with friends and family further away. I may also foster a kitty over the holiday break!
Holiday movies (so many classics to choose from… and I’m always up for a new cheesy rom com with a holiday bent!)
Creativity: making/sending holiday cards, decorating the home, cooking/baking, and writing.
Finding healthy ways to make my favorite holiday foods! For Thanksgiving, I made a pecan pie from the recipe blog: www.detoxinista.com. I’m thinking brownies or fudge for X-mas:)
Games: Exploding kittens, card games, white elephant, any games, really! My brother and I are loving the ‘Hearts’ app, which allows us to play each other from thousands of miles away.
Walks in nature (or snowshoeing, depending on where I am)
Candles (I’m a sucker for the Aloha Bay candles with essential oils)
Essential oil diffusers
Cozy rest, afternoon naps, fireplaces