December has arrived and with it come preparations for the festive holidays. Whether or not you’re feeling the “Christmas Spirit” yet, let me tell you why all the joy of the season can actually assist you in your weight loss journey!

And nope, I haven’t lost my mind. I know it sounds insane. How can all the christmas cookies, candy canes, eggnog, and delicious baked goods possibly help you lose weight? And that’s before even mentioning the numerous gatherings for lunches, brunches, dinners, cocktail parties and everything in between filled with temptation and calories.

Well, let me tell you how a simple mind shift will help you to see the holiday season through the lens of psychology instead of indulgence.

Are you with me so far? Great….let’s dive in.

What is the “Christmas Spirit’ anyway?

Why don’t you let me know what you think it is? Reply to me!

I think it’s about feeling happy, grateful, full of joy and love for fellow humans. It’s about seeing Christmas as a time for connection, rather than an endless quest to buy things and feel validated for doing so.

Let’s break down how embodying the Christmas Spirit can provide a boost to healthier eating habits:

A Positive Emotional State Leads to Better Decisions

If you make the decision to embrace the positive side of the festive atmosphere, that emotional state can actually trigger dopamine release, enhancing feelings of joy, connection and satisfaction.

Those feelings can in turn lead to improved self-control and making better decisions when it comes to food and exercise.

When you focus on connection during the holidays, you are also more likely to avoid stress-related cravings, and lower your cortisol levels overall.

Altruism and Psychological Health

Central to really embodying the feeling of the Christmas spirit are acts of giving, kindness and compassion.

This state of mind or being that focuses on giving can enhance your psychological well-being and cause you to think about how to care for yourself, by choosing healthier habits.

Just the simple act of giving to others and grounding yourself in feelings of kindness and gratitude can trigger a whole new part of your brain and lead to a chain of decisions that create much more positive, higher frequency actions.

Social Bonds and Group Goals

If your festive season involves group activities, such as walks, ice-skating, caroling, or catching a film or a show, you can also really benefit from discussing your goals with others and creating a support network that reinforces healthy behaviors.

Communal activities with friends and family are great for fostering accountability and expressing your desire to stay on track with your eating habits and exercise over the holidays.

Seasonal Activities

Why not put a different spin on the holidays this year and focus on increasing your daily physical activity through traditional fun such as decorating, shopping, playing festive music and dancing, or playing with kids in the snow (if that’s an option where you live!).

When your attitude is positive you really can do anything! You can also turn every opportunity into a chance for healthy fun that supports your weight-loss and ideal lifestyle.

Festive Foods (but in moderation)

Noone wants to go through the season denying themselves the deliciousness of traditional foods, especially those family-favorites that evoke nostalgia! Make a decision to savor smaller portions with a mindful attitude, allow yourself the enjoyment of your favorite recipes, but do it with moderation.

Make sure you eat home-cooked holiday meals that are made from whole foods and are less processed than store-bought alternatives.

In Conclusion

If you can get through Christmas with this attitude, you can do anything!

Let the Christmas spirit work it’s magic on you! Embrace the feelings of joy, gratitude, and love and empower yourself with uplifting feelings of happiness and positivity. When you view the festive season this way, it can become a support for you rather than something indulgent waiting to throw you off track and make you feel guilty.

Allow the Christmas spirit to help you stay committed to your health and fitness goals and prepare you perfectly for a whole new year of healthy habits.