Un-Stuffed: How Chinese Medicine Can Help You Beat the Holiday Bloat

The holidays are nearly here, and that means one thing: indulgence!

And after the challenging and stressful year we’ve had, don’t we deserve to have a little more fun, celebrate a little harder, and enjoy a few extra treats? But indulgence often comes at a cost – in this case stubborn bloating and weight gain, digestive disruptions, and poor energy and fatigue.

The good news is that there are ways to enjoy ourselves and protect our gut health to stay healthy. Chinese medicine is a system of balance and it offers several ways to enjoy the best of both worlds. Let’s find out how tips and tricks from Chinese medicine can help us manage our waistlines and enjoy the indulgences of the season.

Why Do We Get Bloated or Gain Weight During the Holidays?

Researchers estimate that Americans put on an average of 1 pound over the holiday season. While there is a seemingly obvious answer for why this happens, there are actually several potential causes for holiday weight gain.

Along with enjoying richer and sugar-laden foods, other factors like emotions, sleep, and irregularity are at play. Stress, as usual, is a major culprit. The higher our stress, the higher our chances of bloating, weight gain, and stress eating. During the holidays, many people feel that their stress skyrockets as family, financial, work and personal stressors increase. This elevated stress also raises our cortisol levels. Cortisol is a tricky hormone known for causing weight gain, sleep issues, and irritability.

Eating under stress or on the run is also a sure-fire way to cause indigestion, bloating, and abdominal pain. Consistently stress eating or eating in a rush leads to poor gut health and can eventually cause issues like irritable bowel syndrome.

Another thing to consider outside of the stress and poor diet choices is that we often put our self-care on pause during the holidays. Habits that we stuck to early in the year (like exercise, meditation, massage, or bedtime rituals) often get pushed aside when the busy holiday season hits. We often fail to exercise as regularly and might forget to take our usual supplements. When we miss out on self-care, we rob our bodies of priceless time spent in parasympathetic mode (rest and digest), and our digestive system suffers.

Chinese Medicine Lifestyle Tips to Prevent and Manage Holiday Bloating and Weight Gain

To fight back against the challenges of the holiday season, Chinese medicine offers some simple solutions to overcome holiday bloating and weight gain.

At its root, Chinese medicine is a system of balance. Because of this, it allows for change, shifts, and occasional indulgences. Here are a few healthy lifestyle tips and habits that will keep you feeling great all season long:

• Fill your plate with the rainbow. If you focus most of your holiday diet on eating colorful, nutritious vegetables and fruits, you will have plenty of room to enjoy a holiday treat or two. The key here is moderation.

• Make healthy swaps. Instead of feeling completely deprived or completely indulgent, take the middle road by making healthy swaps with a few of your favorite holiday recipes.

• Eat lots of herbs and spices. Most herbs and spices are highly aromatic and support the digestive system in processing food. Herbs and spices are packed with vitamins, minerals, and powerful antioxidants. Plus, these flavor-boosters will allow you to use less salt in your cooking, which is extremely helpful to reduce bloating and excess water weight. Some of the best digestion-enhancing herbs and spices are cinnamon, ginger, peppercorns, fennel, anise, and mint.

• Rebound with balance. Did you go overboard? Not to worry. Bring your body back to balance by eating clean and incorporating foods that help fight bloating. Try having a citrus fruit for a snack, lemon water, or enjoying a warm cup of digestion-promoting tea. Take an extra-long walk and stay hydrated.

• Go slow. Chinese medicine always recommends mindful eating but during the holidays it’s even more important! Stop and enjoy your meals. Avoid eating on the run or working/reading/scrolling social media during your meals. Chew your food thoroughly and take a break between bites. If possible, have a 10-minute break after your meal to quietly relax and digest.

Chinese Herbal Medicine to Reduce Holiday Bloating and Weight Gain

Chinese herbal medicine is such an effective way to manage holiday bloating and weight gain because it goes straight to the source: our stomachs! The following herbal products are safe and simple ways you can either manage your weight, improve your digestion, or bounce back from overindulging.

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A Healthy, Balanced Holiday with Chinese Herbal Medicine

While maintaining a healthy digestive system is crucial during the stressful holiday season, it’s also important to allow yourself to enjoy a few treats and celebrate the season. Chinese medicine gives us a few helpful tips and simple herbal remedies for balancing our diets, managing our waistlines, and recovering from overindulgences through the holidays. 

Learn more about how you can use Chinese medicine through the holiday season or shop for your perfect herbal remedy.