This month’s longevity tip is not about nutrition but about another leading cause of illness –
stress which can lead to inflammation, high blood pressure, exhaustion, digestive problems and more.
In many ways 2024 will end as one of the most stressful years for the U.S. and the world.
Do we need to end the year with even more stress over the holidays?
Christmas decorations everywhere – most of them plastic looking as though they just came out of storage from what didn’t sell last year.
Next we’ll be inundated with images of beautiful people all together in perfect settings portraying perfect lives. How do we live up to such expectations, especially this year where the world has seemed upside down whether it’s weather, war, politics or something else.
I find myself asking if there could there be a better way to reduce the stress of it all at holiday time instead of making it worse?
Don’t get me wrong, I love the holidays, but at the same time, it’s kind of gone off the rails.
If it’s not the season of overeating, it’s the season of high expectations for perfection rarely met and leaving so many of us with the cleanup of holiday “stuff” and many times needing to lose a few post-holiday pounds as well.
I used to wonder if there’s a better way to enjoy the holiday season without adding additional stress both mentally, physically and financially.
After spending a few holidays in Italy I’m reminded once again of how Italy can teach us that less is really much more.
Here’s how another culture enjoys Christmas and the holidays.
There’s still excitement in the air around Christmas but that excitement is about knowing you will soon be enjoying time (sometimes up to two weeks) when life slows down instead of getting busier.
Decorations at storefronts are as simple as a string of lights and a bouquet of natural greens. If homes are decorated, it’s with simple greens. In other words, no one is called a lighting company to put lights on their home.
Families and friends are eagerly looking forward to traditional foods of the holidays that have been served for generations — in the south of Italy its various traditional fish recipes purchased that morning at the market, fennel salad, several seasonal vegetables prepared and of course a fresh pasta. Christmas day always includes homemade tortellini soup.
People aren’t calling a caterer to bring food in or making reservations for dinner out. Rather, the focus is on getting together at home to enjoy and celebrate a traditional meal and time with friends and family.
And speaking about that time together, dinner is not “hit and run” either. The leisurely dinner with breaks in the courses can last for hours, ending with a huge bowl of nuts (in the shell and shelled at the table over conversation) fruits in season, usually oranges and pomegranates, and traditional desserts only made at Christmas time.
Here’s what’s not happening
Piles of gifts everywhere purchased over the past weeks.
Credit card debt from buying things other people don’t need.
The stress of trying to achieve impossible expectations.
While most of us can’t transport ourselves to another culture for the holidays, we can learn from a culture that has less stress, not more during this season, we can find ways to reduces stress (and the resulting dangerously high cortisol levels) this season by slowing down a bit, perhaps inviting a friend or two for a cup of coffee, sharing your home in a more relaxed way, taking a walk in nature or any other way reduce unrealistic expectations and enjoy life more.
Here are a couple other resources you might want to consider for 2025:
Immerse yourself in an “Authentic Italy” lifestyle excursion in fall 2025. Announcement will go out early next year.
Not able to travel but still interested in learning? I’ll be hosting a workshop on how to integrate the lifestyle of longevity here in the states along with special guest speakers from Italy that will teach you how to adapt the pillars of longevity, Italian style.
I’ve been asked for this kind of resource many times and it will be ready by spring 2025.
If you are interested to be put on the wait list, let me know with reply to this email and I’ll keep you posted.
Last, my friend from Venice, Monica Fonda, will offer Italian language lessons beginning in January. Some who will travel with me to Italy next year are interested to learn basic speaking skills. The classes are open to anyone wanting an enjoyable experience to learn more about the Italian culture and basic speaking skills, the classes are open to you. Respond to Monica by email here.
Until Next Time!
Carol Amendola D’Anca
MS, LDN, CNS
I teach you how to live the lifestyle of longevity – Italian Style!
Visit me on Linkedin here. Or on my Youtube channel here.
A quick note: I created Longevity Tips to help you build a better, longer life. It’s my way of sharing my knowledge in small, easily digestible bits that truly help you. But I get it if this is not for you right now. If you aren’t interested in receiving these life-enhancing monthly tips feel free to unsubscribe below to discontinue these messages. No hard feelings and you can re-subscribe anytime.
