L H D B E N E F I T S W E L L - B E I N G N E W S L E T T E R Mindful Holiday Eating The holiday season often means more parties and gatherings—and an abundance of festive food and drinks. However, practicing mindful holiday eating can help you savor the season without overdoing it. This healthy approach encourages focusing on preparing and consuming food in a distraction-free environment. Mindful eating offers physical and mental health advantages, such as better body cue recognition, overeating prevention, healthier food choices, stress reduction and weight loss. Consider the following mindful eating tips: 1. Honor your hunger and satiety cues – don’t skip meals. 2. Start with small portions. 3. Use all five senses when you eat. 4. Take small bites and chew slowly. 5. Limit distractions while eating Mindful eating doesn’t mean avoiding your favorite holiday foods. It’s simply about bringing more awareness and enjoyment to your food. You can also try to prioritize the social aspect of gatherings and engage in meaningful conversations to reduce your focus on food. By practicing mindful holiday eating, you can enjoy the season and create lasting memories. Learning Your Family Health History Most people have a family history of at least one chronic disease. Your family health history is one of the most powerful tools for understanding your risk for disease and conditions like heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. Knowing this information can help you and your health care provider make informed decisions about screenings, lifestyle changes and preventive care. The holiday season is a great time to gather or update family health history information so you can take charge of your health in the new year. Consider asking your family members these questions: Family Heritage What is your family’s ancestry or ethnic background? Chronic Diseases Do you have any chronic diseases, such as diabetes or obesity? Heart Health Do you have any health conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or asthma? Other Health Concerns Have you been diagnosed with any other serious health issues, such as cancer, stroke or Alzheimer’s disease? Age of Diagnosis How old were you when each of these diseases or health conditions was diagnosed?