Nutritious Meals
We’ve ‘unofficially’ entered into our holiday season as another year end is very quickly approaching, we are contemplating how fast time has gone by in 2022.
As we are looking forward to meeting our friends, families, and loved ones while we finish up our year end goals and activities, the upcoming days we’ve scheduled off are sure to be packed with whatever goodness we can fit in.
Many of us have felt the burn out and exhaustion from years of Pandemic stress and we are always encouraged to take care of our minds and bodies and health especially after many years of uncertainty around the world.
After years of uncertainty, a lot of us have not had the chance or are just getting the opportunity to travel and visit places again. This year and in 2023 vacation time will certainly be something we think most of the world will be looking forward to.
Our Dev teams have our traditional year end team events and post-mortem meetings where we reflect, share, and simply enjoy conversations with each other to celebrate getting though this challenging year and global Pandemic once again.
We are reminded by our resident coach Kelvin Ali, to always be aware of your nutritional choices and of what you consume at this time of year. For most of us in the west, it is usually a time of over indulgence, lots of baked, and sweet treats and family celebrations. So many of us will be tempted this year with a lot of unhealthy but very delicious choices.
For some reason we’ve noticed that our entire team all has a weakness for Chocolate.
As we battle or personal urges to pack on the pounds, we’ve learned some great wisdom from our conversations about nutrition and energy. Our food is fuel and sometimes we can get carried away.
We asked Kelvin about maintaining energy and focus during this time of year.
“After 5 decades of Canadian winters, I hope I can share some sound advice. Having been on both sides of the fence as an employee and also as one who is responsible for approving indulgence I try to make sure that everyone’s needs are respected and catered to in a respectful and fun team building environment.
There are many things that professionals should be aware of at this time of year especially if alcohol is being served or consumed at an office event. This is typical in North America and you have to keep in mind that the Holiday Party or Year end gathering is a fun time but it still requires professionalism.
Energy and focus are what managers are usually required to foster of their teams and it can be hard in social settings where barriers are supposed to be non-existent – but your manager is still your manager no matter the attire if it’s a work event.
I get it – it’s hard to role play, but that’s basically what you have to do at the work holiday party.
Everyone loves to just vent, but not a good idea at large social event unless you can get lost in the crowd but be responsible. As you age the level of professionalism tends to increase and you get timid so know your teams demographic and age and plan with input from others.
This is the time of year where things start to become more relaxed and it’s just part of the normal business cycle so keeping your team on track sometimes requires giving them the opportunity to be rewarded in a great social environment.
The energy you seek to have should be great and fun filled but be professional because people will talk about you if you do something out of character when you have to see them again on Monday morning so limit the experience in a professional environment to avoid issues. Limiting time doesn’t mean the experience can’t be awesome – so be on time and if the function is great stay, if it is not your atmosphere, be courtesy, do the rounds, have something to eat and say hello and good bye to everyone.
You need to have good and empowering routines and stories to share and this comes from being aware of your surroundings and definitely who is in your presence if you are at a professional function.
At different ages you have different values and energy so be on you’re A game this season. There will be a lot of venting about the world and life and the economy and you don’t want to bring those feelings or thoughts to a party or a social event. Life is hard but in moments of celebration – celebrate. But do it responsibly. Especially in a professional setting.
Know what foods are affect you and limit your intake. Everyone will overeat once in awhile so set your schedule up to get enough sleep and to not schedule too much at once.
Hosting is exhausting, so have some gratitude and patience if the appetizers aren’t getting to you fast enough, your host will have done their best so have some grace this season.
Focus comes from awareness and Energy comes from sleep, nutrition, hydration, and movement so if music is your thing, dance or at least listen to something energetic that makes you smile, create a sound track of the season for yourself and maybe when you are on that trail walk or on the tread mill – put those ear pods in and move!
It’s getting cold so dress appropriately to your event and know your route. You may have to walk outdoors or be in a cold parking lot out here in Eastern Canada and you don’t want to catch a cold especially for things that could be avoided with some basic and minor pre-planning.
Take advantage of the daylight and have a stroll to your venue to build up a little energy and appetite and Bon Appetite. Have fun, maintain your composure, and if you find yourself getting upset or angry, breathe, bail out of there and smile, no one needs to see you being a goof outside of your role at work.
Try not to be Monday AM’s gossip at the holiday party and with that intention – go have fun. It’s been a hard year. We have a lot to be grateful for no matter our situation and we did it. A new year will be upon us and if you maintain your energy now, 2023 may just be your healthiest year ever!
Congratulations on your end of your events, May you have the best of energy, focus, and fun.
It’s ok to indulge once in a while, like when you go to a buffet, you can’t do that every day, but if this is your ‘awhile season’ go for it, try to mix up your plate a little to get something nutritious, greens are usually a good healthy choice to add to your plate.
As you age you know what consequences may come for certain food, if you don’t know what’s in it ask, and make sure you have what you need for an unexpected illness in your medicine cabinet before a big event or outing, just in case. No one wants to come home from anywhere with an upset stomach. Don’t tell me I didn’t warn you all.”
As we enter into this wonderful season of friends and family, we simply wish that you have fun, are safe, healthy, and you can manage those pounds effectively and enjoy all your heart and plates desire.
Those who make New Year’s resolutions are just 6 weeks away from making those intentions, stay positive, we wish you the best of health and treat choices this and every holiday season.
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Your friends,
Beyond Badr Dev Team!