The holiday season is, for many people, the most wonderful time of the year, usually filled with social gatherings and opportunities to bring people together. This year things likely won’t look the same as the season brings added stress, work deadlines, sleepless nights and different family and household obligations amid the usual changes to your nutrition and alcohol habits.
We all want to enjoy this time of year, and we deserve to. Here are our tips for managing the extra demands being made so that you can relax, have fun, and truly be present this holiday season.
Body
Wash your hands often to help prevent the spread of germs.
Handwashing is always recommended during the holiday season to prevent the spread of colds and flu – but this year it takes on even more importance. Regular hand washing isn’t just a good health practice for yourself, but it’s also a way to help your most vulnerable loved ones stay healthy. Wash your hands with soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds when you get home, and follow up with an emollient hand cream to keep your skin moisturized and prevent dryness and cracks.
Bundle up to stay dry and warm
Even if you’re just running outside to toss out the recycling, or picking up the kids from school, be sure to wear appropriate outdoor clothing: light, warm, loose layers keep you comfortable and insulated, while winter accessories like gloves, hats, scarves, and waterproof boots prevent you from rapid loss of body heat.
Be food aware, choose wisely
Holiday foods tend to be full of extra delicious things like butter, sugar and wheat and while indulging in the festive season is not altogether bad, choose your indulgences wisely to prevent bloating, weight gain, hormonal imbalance, dehydration and digestive issues.
Make holiday treats healthier by sneaking in veggies
It might sound strange, but we love finding ways to hide vegetables in sweet treats. Look for recipes that use healthy pumpkin, zucchini, avocado, or almond meal to replace the usual ingredients. You may not taste the difference but you’ll all be healthier as a result!
Schedule time for fitness and sleep – and make it non-negotiable
Extra stressors may not seem like a big deal at the beginning of the season but remember how exhausted you were by the end of the season last year. No-one can sustain a holiday rush without taking time to themselves to regenerate, so schedule in your workouts. This time is just for you – go for a run or walk, or work out at home at least three times a week, and while you’re at it, set a bedtime reminder to make sure you have enough nighttime rest.
Mind
Set limits
Performing well at work, caring for yourself and your family, AND pulling off a holiday feast can become extra daunting when more demands are made on you both personally and professionally. It’s important to learn that it’s good to say “No” to things that spread you too thin, make you anxious, put you on edge, or stress you out. Concentrate on doing less, and ask others to take on tasks to support the bigger picture – this way you’ll be able to enjoy the fruits of your labour and be more present.
Take a break
When you feel stressed out, overwhelmed, or out of control – it’s time to breathe deeply and take a break. When all of the tasks at hand seem to carry the same weight and gravity, stepping back to get some perspective is a healthy and supportive way to manage stress. Take time for yourself, get plenty of sleep and don’t forget to breathe. A moment spent focusing inwards and paying attention to your breath is a great way to lower stress and balance the body.
Let your mind wander
Give your mind a little break! Turn on some of your favourite music, make yourself a hot bath and close the door, read a novel just for the pleasure of it. Even if it’s only for 15 minutes, giving your mind time to wander off allows your brain and body to process everything you’ve experienced throughout the day and leaves you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Give yourself the gift of self-compassion
Focus on kindness instead of judgement and accept imperfections with sympathy rather than critique. And practice the same level of compassion towards yourself. You deserve to enjoy the holidays this year as much as you do any other year. Let go of notions of perfection and enjoy what has been accomplished.
From The Marsden Centre to you and your family, we wish you all the best for a healthy and happy holiday season.