The holidays are a time of family, friends, fun, laughter, and... stress, am I right? While we're busy shopping, eating homemade cookies and rushing around to all the parties, we can deplete ourselves physically and mentally. Here are 5 ways to focus your energy and enjoy yourself through the holiday season.
1. CREATE SPACE
Stop yourself from rushing through the season.
When you recognize yourself in the midst of a special moment, relish in it. Breathe deeply, smile so much your cheeks hurt, and say to yourself, "savor this moment."
Enjoy the random laughs with your kids, the dirty dishes piling up after a big meal, all the selfies and group pictures, and the taste of your favorite holiday dishes!
2. THINK LESS ABOUT MONEY
Spending too much money and not having enough are issues many endure during the holidays. So how do we combat this?
Take a moment to be grateful for all that you have. "Enough" is a relative term that is very hard to achieve at any level. When you get more, you want more. Instead, take a moment to reflect on what you do have and focus your energy on appreciation.
If you're planning to buy presents, make a list of the people you plan to give gifts. Set a budget and stick to it! Or consider making a donation in your loved one's name in lieu of a physical gift. This saves you time in long lines, hours of bleary-eyed internet searching and calculating shipping arrival dates. Win - Win!
3. INDULGE - WHEN THE MOMENT IS RIGHT
The barrage of treats at work is hard to avoid. Allow yourself to indulge a little, but make sure you're still taking time for your workouts and eating lots of healthy foods. The more treats you eat, the more sluggish you may feel. Stay active and pump yourself full of delicious soups and hearty meals, and eat those cookies and cakes in small doses.
Amy, our lead instructor, has a "yes, but is it DELICIOUS?" rule about baked goods. She loves everything sugary so she always asks herself this question. If it's delicious to you, have a guilt-free piece, but if that pecan sandie is just OK, restrain yourself with a hard pass.
4. HONOR YOUR RELATIONSHIPS
Family and friends are amazing but can also be exhausting. Recognize how you typically interact with your family and consider where the area of opportunities are.
Do you typically fight about one topic? How can you avoid this or reframe it when it comes up? Humble yourself and stop the arguments before they happen. Let Aunt B's dressing be dry without making some sarcastic side-eyed comment about it.
5. DON'T FORGET ABOUT YOU
Make sure you're getting a good night's sleep, drinking lots of water, eating hearty and healthy foods, listening to your favorite music, dancing in your PJs, making your favorite foods, taking baths, reading a book, watching your favorite movies, listening to podcasts, or simply taking time to look out the window while enjoying a cup of tea or coffee. Whatever it is that makes you feel sane and truly yourself, do it! And do it more often during the holiday season.