Whether you are jolly this time of year or blue, can we all agree it’s a busy, hectic time? There’s work to finish, gifts to buy, parties to attend (or avoid), and the added bonus of family time. It’s not the time of year to attempt any major behavior changes, it’s better to take a Hippocratic approach and “do no harm.” We have something at Foodtrainers that we call “anchor behaviors.” The idea is to pick one thing to center you, even if there’s a little more imbibing or “dessert-ing”in your life.

Here are my go-to healthy rituals for this time of year, pick one to include in your routine everyday.

Start the Day with Water

It’s so nice to have a morning ritual. It’s something you can do, before the craziness of the day commences. I suggest a large cup of water with either ½ lemon squeeze in OR a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or my new favorite dandelion bitters. Dandelion is both excellent for your liver (ahem cocktail lovers) and a debloater. Fifteen to twenty drops in your water and down the hatch.

Boost Your Coffee

If you’re thinking that coffee is your morning ritual, I hear that. Let’s upgrade your coffee. Add ¼ tsp Ceylon cinnamon, good for your immune system and blood sugar or a spoonful of MCT oil. MCTs are a type of good fats that help you lose fat and may control sweet cravings. I love Bulletproof’s Brain Octane.

Consider Matcha

And to round out morning rituals, if coffee makes you jittery, move to matcha. Matcha is a powdered green tea. It’s an upper sans jitters and works a little metabolism magic.

Make Lunch Fab

If you’re inundated with holiday lunches, consider a digestive enzyme. RMS Digestive Enzymes, taken pre-meal, will ease any “digestive distress.” Also at lunch, make sure your meal includes a “fab fat.” Fab or fabulous fats are things like avocado, olive oil, walnuts or salmon. Consciously up your good fat and you’ll stay satiated. You’ll also have some wherewithal when it comes to carbs and sugar.

Don’t Drink on Empty

Here’s advice you’ve likely heard before as you head to that dinner or party: Don’t drink on empty. It’s not only that alcohol will hit you more quickly, it’s also that alcohol lowers your blood sugar. And that exacerbates the “drunchies.” Stash some healthy snacks in your drawers and work bags. Little olive packs, turkey jerky, and Jillz Almond Flour Cracker Packs are some of my favorites.

Stay Chill

And finally, after jam-packed days, have a ritual to chill you out at home. I’d be unkind if I didn’t tell you about the Lord Jones CBD gumdrops. Just one little drop eases anxiety and helps you sleep. A little lavender can also do the trick. Put on some lavender body oil when you brush your teeth. Tammy Fender’s lavender body oil is heavenly, but any brand will do the trick.

If one of these resonated with you, try to incorporate it daily. It will make you feel like you’re taking care of yourself, at a time it’s easy not to.