Find Your Calm: 3 Simple Ways to Stay Centered at the Holidays
The following article was written by Heinen’s Chief Dietitian, Melanie Jatsek RD, LD.
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“Adopt the pace of nature. Her secret is patience.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson
Think back to a time in your life when you felt at peace. Maybe you were watching a beautiful sunset on a warm summer evening or sitting on a beach in awe of the unending cascade of waves as they crested and rolled into the ocean below.
I personally find peace sitting on my deck watching the blue jays swoop in to cautiously accept my gift of raw peanuts. I’ve made lots of friends this past summer, including Chippy the cheeky chipmunk and Phil the squirrely squirrel who positions himself on the patio furniture to get a better look inside of our kitchen. They all know where the Jatseks hide their stash of Hampton Farms Jumbo Raw In-Shell Peanuts!
Why the emphasis on sunsets and squirrels? Because nature has figured it out! To the trees, flowers, and snowflakes, there’s no such moment other than the present. And that’s where peace is found.
Isn’t it ironic how the very time of year meant to be filled with inner peace and joy, instead winds up evoking mountains of stress?
I don’t know about you, but I don’t make the best lifestyle choices when I’m stressed. When holiday demands become overwhelming, we may skimp on sleep, settle for fast food, or succumb to sugar cravings to cope with the pressure.
Take a lesson from nature this holiday season and give yourself the gift of self-care by practicing three simple, yet powerful daily habits.
Set Your Eyes on Nature
Make it a point every morning to look out your window (bonus points if you can be outside for this experience). Choose something specific and don’t just glance at it, really take a moment to appreciate the wonder of this gift without classifying it by its formal name, like oak tree, blue jay, or cloud. See it as a miracle instead.
I think Albert Einstein said it best: “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”
Eat a Plant with Each Meal
There’s nothing more aligned with nature than fruits and vegetables! In fact, these foods were designed to reduce the effects of physical stress in your body. How amazing is that?
Here are three simple ideas to get you started:
- Breakfast: Top your oatmeal with a half cup of chopped apples or pears, fresh or frozen berries, or banana slices.
- Lunch: Add a cup of crisp raw veggies to go with your sandwich or soup. Carrot or celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, sliced Sweet Snaps peppers, and broccoli florets are daily staples in my lunchbox. Dipping is optional, but if you’re looking for a healthier alternative to conventional ranch dressing, try Fx™-approved Tessemae’s organic creamy ranch dressing.
- Dinner: Start your meal with a leafy green salad. Besides offering an abundance of nutrients, greens have a few superpowers you may not be aware of. They help cut down on unhealthy food cravings, slow fat absorption, and dial down your appetite—benefits we could all use around the holidays!
Invite Nature into Your Home
As much as I would love to have Chippy and Phil as pets, I’m referring to plants here. I’ll admit, I am the furthest thing from a gardener, and that’s why I love Heinen’s Floral Department! The beautiful assortment of fresh flowers and seasonal plants have a permanent place in my home year-round. Their beauty serves as a constant reminder to live in the moment.
Invite tranquility and beauty into your home this holiday season with an Amaryllis, Zygo cactus, poinsettia, or winterberry from Heinen’s Floral Department.
Key Takeaway
Peace is hidden in all forms of nature, but it’s easy to miss when we live in a noisy world with distractions around every corner. It’s up to us to seek it out!
