5 Tips To Keep Yourself Balanced Over The Holidays
Here comes The Witching Week…
It’s Christmas and New Years and the week in between. A time when you lose track of the day and it’s just CRAZY. Sound familiar? Well, it’s back again and it’s time to buckle up!
If you’re someone who can relate to the Witching Week and feel like you just want SOME sense of normalcy during this time period, these 5 tips to give yourself some balance are for you:
#1 Pencil In Some Time For Yourself
There’s family all around and so many events on the calendar. Is there time for yourself? Make a conscious effort to set aside even 15 minutes during the day- morning, evening, or night to spend some time with yourself. Take a virtual yoga class, take a walk/jog outside, read a book, try a guided meditation. The key here is this: try is alone. Even for those extraverts, spending some time with just yourself can refuel your appreciation for the people and things in your life, and prepare you for the transition post-New Year, when the family disperses and you’re back to your normal routine, which chances are- has a lot more alone time.
#2 Plan Exercise (Bonus: Include The Family)
Holidays, while fun, can be stressful! Meals to prepare, people to host, events to attend… The largest natural stress reducer is exercise. Even 20 minutes of a brisk walk will release the important endorphins that can make all the difference during this hectic time. Studies also show that during holidays, individuals who exercise are less likely to engage in stress eating. Assuming exercise is not the only “me time” you have, it can be a wonderful opportunity to start a new family tradition. A family walk or dance party can be a way for you to engage in healthy behavior with your loved ones- and everyone can reap the benefits of those endorphins!
#3 Practice Mindful Eating
Mindful eating can sound, frankly, bizarre. What is it exactly? It means being fully attentive and aware of the food you’re eating. How does it help over the holiday season? At such a busy time of year, we often lose touch of the mindful eating we subconsciously practice in our everyday lives. During the holidays, benefits can come from consciously incorporating mindful eating into the weeks. Try:
Really listen to your body, not your cravings - Ask yourself, “What do I need to feel energized and fueled for today?”
Don’t restrict - Dinners tend to be the main meal, but avoid under-eating during the day to prepare. Instead, eat your normal meals. By doing so, you won’t feel the need to over-eat at dinner/ dessert.
Prepare a part of the meal that has a healthy spin! Sure, eat all of the yummy foods, and try and bring to the table one healthier option. Don’t see it as a “I’m only eating this option,” but rather, “Here’s an extra addition to all the other food!” You might be surprised by how delicious some healthier options can be.
#4 Do What’s Right For You… Not Others
Just because family members and friends are engaging in certain behaviors, it doesn’t mean you need to go along too. One of the hardest pieces of balance over the holidays is sticking to your own guns. If you want a bottle of wine, you do you! But, if you feel like that isn’t serving you or your mental and physical wellbeing, you can 100% say no thank you to the extra glass. Keep in mind that you, above all, need to please you. Not anyone else. The same thing goes for the food choices you make. They are your choices and you deserve to eat what you feel is right for you without any judgement or angst.
#5 Stay Hydrated
Might sound like a weird one! But during busy times (and times with drinks and salty foods), hydration can take a back seat. How can it help you stay balanced?
Thirst can be masked as hunger
Hydration improves mood and energy
Hydration keeps cognition strong (as to not make health decisions you later regret)
Dehydration causes headaches, which is already a possible symptom of holiday over-excursion
At the end of the day, the holidays is a crazy busy time, but a time that should be associated with positive feelings and emotions. So, out of these 5 tips, are there two or even one the you can promise yourself you’ll give a try? Curious, which one(s) do you find the most interesting? Comment below!