Top Tips For Staying Healthy During The Holidays

It’s almost here! Are you excited? I am sure that of any year, 2020 is the year that you are SO ready to celebrate the holidays right?!?

As exciting as the holidays are, they can also be draining and overwhelming, and this year is no different!

These tips will help you have the energy to enjoy all things holiday and will help you to feel in control and keep the stress at bay.

Be sure that you are allowing time for self-care. My last blog post shared my tops tips for holiday self care, and spoiler alert … it’s probably not what you are thinking! Be sure that you are taking some time to take care of YOU. Hint … this doesn’t always mean bubble baths and face masks! 😉
Delegate responsibilities. This can be SO hard for some of us! Juggling work, gift buying, and all of the tasks that the holidays seasons entail can mean that sometimes you take on more than you can handle. Asking family members to help out with the small things will help immensely. Take a few minutes to make a quick list of monotonous jobs that any family member can do and then delegate. Think folding laundry, emptying/loading the dishwasher, vacuuming, picking up groceries for you, etc. Pawning these off on others will save you a lot of time and sanity!
Schedule downtime. The holiday season is naturally high-strung. A packed holiday schedule can make you feel like your life is on fast-forward. Remember when scheduling holiday outings and activities to also schedule some downtime to take care of YOU! This can be self care, or just something as simple as time alone doing something that only you enjoy!
Move your body. This doesn’t have to be anything hard to complicated! Just spending 10-15 minutes outside on a walk will do your mind and body good! Exercise and movement releases endorphins and serotonin making movement the perfect holiday stress buster!
Be cognizant of your sleep. Sleep and stress feed off of each other. Lack of sleep can leave you feeling stressed, and stressing out about getting rest can lead to a restless night’s sleep. Create a holiday sleep ritual to help you get the maximum amount of rest. This may mean setting an alarm on your phone to remind you to start your evening wind-down routine. Maybe buy a special holiday tea that you enjoy after your dinner while reading a book or watching a holiday movie. Whatever you decide to do, be sure that you are getting enough sleep, and that means having a plan for it!
Create moments for mindfulness. Take a few minutes each and every day to stop and reflect on the blessings that surround you. Pausing to reflect on the good in your life, especially in these pandemic times, can boost your mood and help with anxiety. This is a great time to start a gratitude journal where you list 5 things that you are thankful for each day.
Eat mindfully. It is so important to eat and enjoy all of the foods that come with the holidays, but be mindful when eating them. Take some time to really taste them. Put your utensil down in between bites, and savor the taste of the special food. Take note of your surroundings, and let that become part of your experience as well!
Stay hydrated. You all know that water is so important for our body to function optimally. The holidays are also a time when we may be partaking in more alcoholic beverages than normal. These holiday beverages are a fun part of the holiday season, but are often laden with tons of sugar and of course alcohol. A good rule of thumb when enjoying these beverages is to eat before you partake, and then be sure that you are having at least one glass of water in between each beverage.
Stay connected. This holiday season is like no other we have experienced. It is important that you stay connected with those most important to you. Take the time to call, visit, Zoom, etc. with those that you love this holiday season.