As we head into the holiday season—also known as "cookie season"—it’s a good time to talk about the impact of sugar on our bodies. As I get older, I notice my body handles sugar less effectively, and I’m not alone in this. Many people consider sugar as addictive as alcohol, tobacco, or drugs. Yes, sugar! The more I learn, the more I believe that sugar is, in fact, a powerful drug—and perhaps one of the hardest to overcome. It’s not just in cookies, but also in breads, pasta, and other simple carbs that quickly convert into sugar in the body.

When we consume simple carbs, our bodies get an instant energy rush. Sugar is broken down fast, giving us a "sugar high," followed by a quick crash. That crash leaves us feeling drained, and our instinct is often to reach for more sugar to get back that energy. This can create a cycle that’s hard to break. Over time, our bodies adjust to this elevated blood sugar level, and if this pattern continues, our insulin response—the body’s way of managing blood sugar—becomes impaired. Eventually, this can lead to diabetes, a condition where blood sugar must be managed with medication because the body’s natural insulin function is damaged and cannot be fully restored.

I’m not here to scare you, but I want to share the facts. This holiday season, consider moderating your sugar intake. Maybe choose one day to indulge instead of every day, set a limit on treats, and drink plenty of water to help your body process the sugar. A little planning can go a long way in keeping your energy balanced and your body healthy.

​​Enjoy the season with intention—and maybe a few less cookies!

I talk a lot about awareness, or mindfulness, for a reason. I truly believe it’s the single most important quality we can cultivate in our lives—and one that’s sorely lacking in the world today. Yet, for many, the idea of investing time in practices like meditation feels either too daunting, or somehow “not for them.” Some think, “I’ve made it this far without it—what’s the point?” Meanwhile, they still struggle with anxiety, stress, and difficult emotions but hesitate to take that first step.

So, what exactly is awareness, and why does it matter so much?

Let’s start with what awareness isn’t. Awareness is not worry, stress, doubt, insecurity, anger, anxiety, fear, judgment, or resentment. When you find yourself in one of these mental or emotional states, it’s a sign that your mind is running in overdrive. Often, we’re replaying past events, obsessing over future worries, or getting lost in the constant chatter of the world. In these moments, we are not truly aware.

Awareness is stillness—stillness in thought. It’s about being fully present in each moment without letting the mind wander into past dramas or future anxieties. Our world is filled with drama because it’s what the mind naturally craves, and businesses capitalize on it. The news, social media, even sports and politics all pull us into a cycle of emotions that keep us far from inner peace.

But what if we could break that cycle? Start with a simple practice, like brushing your teeth. Instead of replaying the day or scrolling through your phone, try being present. Feel the brush on your gums, the taste of the toothpaste, the weight of the toothbrush in your hand. When a stray thought arises, gently bring yourself back to the sensations. This may seem minor, but it’s a powerful start to living more of your life in awareness.

Imagine living without the constant buzz of gossip, stress, and drama. It’s transformative. Awareness doesn’t make problems disappear, but it does allow us to face them from a place of peace, clarity, and focus. Instead of feeling like you’re constantly jumping over mental hurdles, you’ll find that you’re approaching life with calm and resilience.

​​Awareness is free, accessible to everyone, and has the potential to truly change your life. It just takes practice. Start today. As you go about daily tasks—brushing your teeth, doing the dishes, cooking, working, running, driving—notice where your mind is. Breathe, be still, and bring yourself back to the present. You’ll thank yourself later.

It’s one thing to recognize challenging emotions, but how can we actually build emotional resilience? Emotional resilience is the ability to manage emotions without letting them dictate our thoughts and actions. As you may know, our mind and emotions are deeply connected. We often process emotions by replaying, analyzing, and overthinking, which can keep us stuck. One effective way to build resilience is by putting our mind to work in a positive way.

Start by noticing when your mind is in reaction mode, typically in response to an emotion. Take road rage, for example. When someone cuts you off, the first reaction you feel is usually fear—fear of an accident or even fear for your life. Many of us quickly mask this fear with anger or frustration as a way to get rid of it. But what if we could simply acknowledge that initial emotion without letting it spiral?

One effective tool for building emotional resilience is visualization. Picture yourself in a similar situation, like being cut off in traffic. Visualize how you’d ideally want to respond. Acknowledge that the initial emotion is fear, but instead of letting it snowball, consider a calming response: "Next time I’m cut off, I’ll remind myself that it was scary for a moment, but I’m okay. I don’t know what the other driver is going through, so it’s not worth my energy to dwell on it. I’ll shift my focus to something positive instead.”

This practice of visualization can apply to any area of life—a challenging relationship, a frustrating pet, or any situation that stirs difficult emotions. By using our minds to determine how we want to respond, we remove the power these emotions have over us. As a result, our resilience and inner strength grow.

​​It may seem too simple, but give it a try, even with something low-stakes, and see how it transforms your experience.