The holiday season can be a magical time, but can also come with special challenges that sometimes catch you off guard if you aren’t prepared! Lots of parties, out of town visits, a chaotic schedule and family dynamics can bring their own brand of stress and we’re here to help share some of the tips we’ve learned over the years to help manage the chaos and keep the festivities fun and enjoyable!
Get Physical: Holiday stress and build and leave you feeling like there simply isn’t enough time in the day. And when stress hits it can really take a toll on your overall mental and physical health. To help manage those stressful days make sure you are building in time to workout that energy through physical activity. Carve out time to exercise your body and let those stressors fade into the background! Whether you can spare 60 minutes or 10 minutes, just break away and reset your mind and body - you’ll be so thankful you did!
Make Room for Gratitude: Everywhere you look someone is trying to sell you something bigger and better than the next. Allow yourself to step back from those consumerism driven narratives and take into account what you have, and what you(your kids or family) really need. Kick your days off with a gratitude list; each morning think of 3 things you are thankful for. Nothing gets your mind right like an extra dose of gratitude!
Protect Your Sleep: Visiting and parties might be the bright spot of the season, but they can deplete your reserves and leave you feeling a less than stellar. Make sure you are protecting your rest times. Sleep is so important to keep your mental game strong and healthy. During this busy time of year make sure you aren’t committing yourself to too many late nights and early mornings. It’s all about balance!
Be Present: Remember when being social actually happened in the real world, with actual conversations and people? We live in a tech forward age and it’s tough to escape, but there is a tranquil beauty in putting your phone down and being in the moment for a bit. Allow yourself to set boundaries about how much you will look/interact with your phone. Give yourself a phone free night and enjoy a movie with your family or friends like we did in the 90’s, with popcorn and only one screen!
Watch Your Intake: This one is a toughie! The holidays are filled with platters of treats and cocktails and can easily lead to over indulgence which can leave you feeling out of control. Enjoy those seasonal treats and drinks, just be sure to be balanced, adding in regular doses of H20 to keep you hydrated and feeling great!