The parts of your health you didn't realise take a hit this time every year, and what to do about it.

Thanks to our brand partner, Thompson's

What's that sound? Could it be sleigh bells ringing or, more likely, the very specific sounds made by a human body that has reached the end of the year, embraced the festive season and is now more cheese than human? Being that the season of fun and indulgence is upon us, it's most likely the latter.

'Tis the time when our usual routines and habits fly out the window as parties, end of year events and general revelry take the wheel. "Treat yo'self" becomes not only a reference to cult comedy Parks and Recreation, but an actual life motto. 

Many different aspects of our health can take a hit during these busy months. Learning how to support our bodies can make all the difference in ensuring some semblance of balance is maintained.

Here are my top tips for surviving the silly season (relatively) unscathed.

Keeping your liver in check.

If there is one part of your body that really feels the festive season, it would have to be your liver. Responsible for detoxification and digestion (amongst other things), our humble liver actually filters every drop of blood in the body, removing toxins and waste, to keep us in tip-top shape. As we indulge in more rich foods, alcohol and sweets, our bodies may have to work a bit harder to keep everything balanced.

How to manage it?

Your liver is extremely good at doing its job but always appreciates a little support. Thompson's One-A-Day Milk Thistle is an option to give your liver a little extra TLC.

Traditionally used in Western herbal medicine to support liver health, aid natural detoxification and promote healthy digestion, Thompson's One-A-Day Milk Thistle comes in a convenient, high-strength formula which only requires you to take a once-a-day dose. It's an easy option to protect and support your liver function throughout the festive season and beyond.

The seasonal snooze deficit.

It's probably not overly shocking news that we sleep a lot less over the festive season. Later nights, seasonal stress, a change in our sleep routine, shifts in our eating patterns and an increase in alcohol can create the perfect storm for a lack of quality snooze time.

We all know the importance of getting our rest and having a solid, predictable sleep routine but that knowledge can fly out the window when we're singing karaoke at the office Christmas party at 11pm (and our usual bedtime is 9.30pm). 

How to manage it?

Sleep disruptions are inevitable, but recognising this is the first step to managing their impact. If you have late nights ahead, try "sleep banking" which means adding about 60 minutes of extra sleep in the days before — this strategy can be surprisingly effective.

A very merry gut.

During the festive season, while your liver works overtime, your gut also faces added stress. We can only imagine what your gut microbiome starts thinking when your usual morning muesli is replaced by panettone French toast and a midday sanga suddenly becomes a three-course buffet extravaganza.

Even if you generally have a healthy gut, you may experience a visit from the bloating fairy with her pals "upset tummy" and "irritable bowel". Not a good time. 

How to manage it?

We probably don't need to tell you that moderation is key. And moderation can be what you make it. It might mean ensuring a healthy breakfast on days you know that there will be a large lunch or dinner planned, or trying to eat at home on the nights that you aren't out.

It's also important to listen to your gut. It'll tell you when it's unhappy and that it might be time to take your foot off the pedal, even if it's just for 24 hours.

And last but not least, stay hydrated. Drinking water regularly, especially when consuming alcohol, can help you stay hydrated, support your liver, reduce the chances of headaches the next morning and assist in preventing constipation.

Christmas or stress-mas?

Wrapping up at work, finding that elusive last item on your child's Christmas list, meal prepping and planning, attending 448 different events, managing family and friends and food, it's no wonder that, according to Headspace, 62 per cent of people find their stress levels elevated during the holidays.

It's almost a double whammy here in Australia as the holidays coincide with school finishing and  annual leave for many people. This adds a generous helping of end of year stress to an already heightened nervous system that is fretting about ham sizes.

How to manage it?

De-loading and delegating can help take some of the pressure off. Breaking your planning up into smaller chunks and assigning a time frame to each task can also help minimise stress. Start early by creating a to-do list for everything, then plan how to tackle tasks well before the pointy end of the month.

Can you shop online for the majority of Christmas gifts? Create a "Christmas Groceries" list, save it on your chosen supermarket's app then add to it as you plan your menu? Delegate jobs to your partner and family to help share the load?

By creating some systems and strategies, you may be able to lower your stress levels and approach the end of the year feeling a little bit more zen.

Find Thompson's One-A-Day Milk Thistle at your local supermarket or pharmacy.

Always read the label and follow the directions for use.

Feature Image: Instagram/@naomifoxall.

Thompson's: The Master Herbalists
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