Happy Holidays everyone! Merry Xmakah and a Happy New Year Next week! For those of you that need to hear this very important message, here it is just for you:

“Just enjoy the damn cookie(s)! Seriously! Please and I beg you to not think about it. Have some wine. Yes- it’s poison, but perhaps you enjoy it during special occasions. I do too. Great- do it. Most importantly, have a wonderful time with your family and friends”

There, I said it.

If you have recently found yourself thinking a little more than usual about all the “junk” food you may be enjoying or having around the house or office, you’re not alone. Chances are it’s not some sort of eating disorder or anxiety related issue, but perhaps more so the fact that it’s just, well…around more!

Rather than self-diagnose with Orthorexia Nervosa (though a real issue that can be exacerbated by the holidays) try letting go and enjoying this year if that’s been difficult historically around the holiday season. If you’ve never tried this before, give it a go this holiday…There’s always a first!

While your cookies and treats may last more than just one day, they are still likely a smaller sliver than the pie chart of we’re talking holiday time. Otherwise, we are talking 03%! Yes, one day (0.27%) is not anything to right home about, so this year try shifting the focus to enjoying and joy. That’s right, celebrate, be happy and enhance you joy. We talk about some other tips on this same vein in a recent Turkey Day article.

Here are 3 wonderful things to practice that this year. You can use this quick guide this week and next (and anytime in the future when you want to supercharge your joy FYI)

3 Tips- How to Boost Joy

1. Practice Gratitude Daily

• Science: Studies show that expressing gratitude activates brain regions associated with dopamine, the "feel-good" neurotransmitter, fostering long-term emotional well-being.

• How to Implement: Talk about or write down three things you're grateful for this very day today. Your physical abilities, something hard you overcame, your health, the health of others around you perhaps? This habit trains your brain to focus on the positive aspects of life, boosting your overall joy. Today is that day!

2. Engage in Physical Activity (Walk or Hike Perhaps??)

• Science: Exercise releases endorphins, natural chemicals in the brain that elevate mood and reduce stress. Even light physical activity can enhance brain function and emotional resilience.

• How to Implement: Commit to 20-30 minutes of walking, hiking, dancing or whatever you like today. Outdoors exercise adds an extra boost by exposing you to nature and sunlight, which can further improve mood through vitamin D synthesis and other avenues.

3. Connect with Others

• Science: Social connections are critical for emotional health, as they stimulate oxytocin release (a hormone linked to bonding and happiness) and reduce cortisol (a stress hormone). Also, it’s just how we are wired as humans mostly.

• How to Implement: Easy one today- Make time for meaningful conversations or activities with loved ones. Even small acts like smiling or connecting with someone you haven’t in a while can create positive interactions that boost joy.

December Announcements:

• Fun run anyone? We are still gauging interest in a fun run. 5k? 10k? Marathon? Let us know and we may get the online program shaped up and run group going

• Health coaching spots open again in a couple short weeks. If you’re interested, please book a free consult with us to get a jump start.

• Have we helped you to improve the quality of your life this past year? If you are so inclined to share that experience, we would greatly appreciate your positive review/testimony. You can Google or Yelp review us with those links. Thank you!