Alison Canavan has transitioned from being one of Ireland’s best known top models to being the poster girl for wellness and mindfulness .The model mum left her hectic modelling lifestyle behind her in pursuit of a more calm and mindful life – and she’s never looked back!
Since turning her life upside down, the brunette beauty has been kept incredibly busy with her career as a best-selling author (Minding Mum), motivational speaker, parenting, health and wellbeing specialist (to name but a few of her successes).
Having lived life in the fast lane for a number of years, Alison knows just how much your mental health can suffer if you don’t take the time out to look after yourself.
Now that we’re coming around to one of the most hectic and stressful times of the year, it’s more important than ever to look after your own wellbeing.
Luckily for us, Alison was able to the take time out of her busy schedule to share her top tips for de-stressing this Christmas.
Here are her top five tips:
Practice gratitude
This is always top of my list and during the winter months. You should try and think of gratitude as your psychological hot water bottle to get you through this time of year. It’s so easy to get caught up in materialism during Christmas and often we become focused on what we don’t have or can’t afford. Every morning when you wake choose 3 things that you are grateful for and why. This will help you to see what you do have and focus on the positive. Try and make at least one of them about a person, as studies show the feeling of gratitude to be stronger when people are chosen over things.
Mindful Eating
Lets face it, we all overindulge coming up to the holidays but if we eat too much while we’re rushed our bodies end up crying out for help . Your digestive system shuts down when you are stressed and running around. Try taking three deep breaths before every meal and connect and bless/say thank you for your food before you eat. We are all interconnected to each other and to our food but we have lost a lot of those connections. Simple habits like breathing and presence can help reconnect us.
Mindful shopping
So many people go crazy at Christmas and overspend. Presence not presents is what’s really important. Starting a new year depressed and broke is unnecessary. Set a budget and stick to it. Kris kindle is a great way to ease the burden on families as it means someone gets one great present rather than 10 presents they don’t want or need.
Check in
Set an alarm on your phone 3- 4 times a day at times that work for you (e.g. 10AM, 1PM, 5PM and 9PM). This is your gentle reminder to check in and ask: How am I doing/feeling? Have I eaten? Have I drunk any water? Take three deep breaths and continue on with your day.
Get your rest
Party season can end up leaving us sleep deprived. Sleep is very underrated, and it shouldn’t be. It’s the time when your body can renew and repair. So, make sure you get some shut eye
These small habits will help to keep your stress in check. Small habits completed on a daily basis can often create real change and have a lasting effect. So, this year treat yourself to a stress free holiday season, unplug and be present which will ultimately nourish you where you need it most.