The holiday season is upon us and the new year is right around the corner. Instead of waiting for the new year to start implementing some good nutrition habits, here are two simple things you can do today that won’t require changing anything about the food you’re eating, but will make a big impact in your health.

Before eating, take a few big deep breaths.

I know it sounds simple, but it really does help. When we inhale, we put our body in a sympathetic state (fight or flight and stressed AF), but when we exhale, we go into a parasympathetic state where we can relax. This is also know as our rest and digest state. When we are able to relax, our mouths salivates naturally, our digestive enzymes are secreted to be ready to break down food, and our gallbladder prepares to release bile to help with chemical break down. So try this: take three big deep breaths, inhaling through your nose and exhaling slowly through your mouth. Feel better?

Secondly, remember that cleaning your plate is not required. Above everything else, remember to listen to your body and stop when you are full. Our favorite part of the holidays is the social aspect of eating with our loved ones. Food is a social act and when we slow down, engage in meaningful conversation with our loved ones, and savor our food.. Well there's nothing quite like it.