Five Ways to Thrive this Holiday Season
Welcome to the holiday season – a whirlwind of gift-giving, decorating, baking and party planning. This season is meant to bring laughter and cheer however, people often end up feeling tired, stressed and physically drained.
If you’re one of those people feeling more frazzled than festive and fuller than fit during this time of year, here are five ways to thrive during this holiday season.
Don’t get stressed out over unrealistic expectations
Letting go of the constant strive for perfection and worry associated with planning can be freeing. When you feel yourself getting stressed, remember this is the time of the year to appreciate the people around you. Make a conscious decision to set boundaries and don’t feel bad about saying “no” to things that would overwhelm you. You will find the most enjoyable moments to be the unexpected.
Start a new tradition
While some people have certain traditions that remain the same year after year, it’s never too late to start a new tradition by yourself, with family or friends. Try new things to see if you like them and then create your own tradition (have a tree lighting ceremony, visit a local holiday market or drive around to look at holiday lights). Ask your friends what their traditions are or find inspiration for new tradition ideas online.
Be mindful of what you eat and move your body
Just because it’s the holidays doesn’t mean you should let yourself go in terms of eating and staying active. The best thing to do is plan ahead. Have a small healthy snack before you go places where there won’t be healthy options. Enjoy the foods you love, in moderation. Bring your walking shoes with you to get some fresh air when you can.
Don’t deprive yourself of sleep
Try to keep your normal sleep schedule as much as you can. This will support your body’s sleep-wake cycle and set you up for better quality sleep. Remember to take your time in the evening to decompress and avoid heavy evening meals. You’ll feel a lot more refreshed and recharged, so you can enjoy the holiday time.
Keep it simple
If the holiday to-dos, events and projects are making your heart rate increase and blood pressure rise, then you might need to take a step back. Go easy on yourself and go for “good enough” without thinking it must be better. Celebrate the holidays by keeping them simple and enjoying the imperfections. Life isn’t perfect, and it is still beautiful – keep this in mind this holiday season.
Everyone at Network Health wishes you and yours a wonderful holiday season.
