The abundance of food and the fact that we see holiday meals as special and celebratory seems to imply that we should eat differently. Yet in many ways, the holiday meal is just like any other. Practicing mindful eating year round can help you manage your weight and experience gratitude for sustenance as you enjoy your meals slowly with full awareness.

Here are three surprisingly easy tips that will bring this quality of awareness to your life and your table this holiday season:

1. Cherish Comforting Moments: Play music you love, sit near a window, and between meals sip some hot tea to help soothe your soul and your nervous system. Holidays can be stressful; have a plan for how you will take a moment to reset and refresh without turning to food for relief!
2. Keep Mealtimes Regular: As much as possible, keep your mealtimes regular and avoid snacking on the cookies and other goodies that may be lying about. This is one of the most challenging forms of holiday sabotage for staying mindful with your eating.
3. Have a seat: Nibbling on a plate of food as you catch up with friends and family can quickly lead to overindulgence. A better plan is to fill your plate with reasonable servings of nutritious foods you love and find a seat near someone pleasant to truly enjoy your holiday meal.

When you finally do sit down to dinner, savor the experience with all of your senses: Smell the aromas, see the colors and textures, hear the sounds of sharing food together and take an extra moment to let the flavors sit on your tongue. Mindful eating is not a diet, it is a practiced experience born from gratitude. And you can enjoy this experience all year long!

Would you like additional help with weight management this holiday season? Body & Brain Centers are offering HEALTHIER TOGETHER workshops for “Weight Management: Balance and Control” this month. Part of an ongoing campaign to help you be the best you can be, these workshops teach easy to implement techniques and Brain Education for increased health and wellness. Call or visit soon.

Do you have tips you would like to share? We would love to hear from you! Email us at newsletter@bodynbrain.com and enjoy your holidays!