Beat Holiday Stress With These Easy Steps
You may have already started to receive party invites, started your Christmas shopping, and are juggling the demands on your time and cutting your workouts short or even out. Most likely you’ve begun to feel the effects of this demanding time of year: anxiety, stress, feelings of being overwhelmed and thinking, “there’s no way I’ll get everything done in time!” Add the fact that you desperately want to keep up your exercise schedule intact and stay on track with your fitness goals and it’s no wonder that many of us simultaneously look forward to and dread the holiday season.
There are, however, many strategies one can apply to make this holiday season one that’s filled with happy memories.
Make a plan. If you and your family aren’t already using a master calendar, now is the time to start. Input all activities (parties, kids’ events, etc.) so you can catch any conflicts early on allowing you to plan accordingly. If you’ll need babysitters for your kids, try and book them as early as possible to avoid scrambling last minute – easing unnecessary stress. Hey even check out the services at your club like drop and shop or date night.
Prioritize your To Do list. Determine early on in the season what gifts you need to buy, what food you need to prepare, what decorating you need to do and what other tasks will need to be accomplished. Prioritize this list to get the most important things out of the way first. In your personal schedule, allot time to accomplish everything in a stress free (or low stress) way. Just make sure to make your personal workouts a priority. Remember exercise decreases stress and makes you more productive – see below.
Make sure to schedule workouts. Just as you book time for parties and shopping, make sure to also block off time for fitness. This will make you more likely to maintain a healthy weight even during the most over-indulgent time of year. This is a great time of year to try new express 30 min workouts, do Small group training 2 x a week to maximize results and still leave time for all you have to do.
Have a Plan B. Even if you have to miss a scheduled workout, ensure to add in at least 10 minutes of activity a day. If you’re not able to get to your fitness club, be sure you have options; do a quick exercise video, climb your stairs a few times, park the car further away from the shopping center, walk the dog, or do vigorous housework.
Get outside! Fresh air is invigorating, even if the temperature is a little chilly during the holidays. If you have kids, be sure to get them outside every day to reap the benefits of fresh, crisp air and the dose of Vitamin D that the sun provides. Think about activities that get you and your family moving. For example; decorating for holidays if you haven’t already done. When the dread winter snow comes; build a snowman, go tobogganing, or shovel snow; just be careful to lift properly and not strain your back.
Be conscious of temptation and plan accordingly. What’s your holiday food or beverage weakness? Cocktails, desserts, large dinners, constant snacking? Plan ahead in order to keep your body well-nourished, cravings to a minimum and energy levels high. Make sure you stock your fridge and counter top with healthy, easy-to-grab meal and snack options so that you’re not desperately hungry and resorting to fast food.
Party smart. Holiday parties are filled with alcohol, fatty foods, high salt snacks and sugar-laden treats. It’s ok to indulge a little, YES I said its ok. It is actually good – being too strict causes you later on to binge. Just be conscious about what’s going into your mouth. Before parties, fill your belly with water-filled, nutrient-packed homemade soup as an example; so that you’re less likely to tackle the hors d’oeuvres table. Then, make smart choices at the party: shrimp cocktails, fresh veggies, and a big glass of water to start. Limit your drinks and always consume a glass of water between alcoholic beverages. Try and socialize away from the food table so that you’re less likely to unconsciously nibble.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Although the summer heat has passed, your body still needs high levels of water – indoor heating is dehydrating, too. Be sure to have a water bottle with you at all times and take sips throughout the day. Aim for a minimum of 8 glasses of water per day, ideally more. Staying hydrated will help keep your energy levels high, immune system working optimally, your metabolism up and food cravings down.
Plan to be stressed. It might sound counter intuitive to all we are talking about, but planning for stress might allow your holidays to be more positive overall. Think about what relaxes you. If it’s a massage, book one for the peak of the holiday season now so you can look forward to the break. If you find yoga relaxing, be sure to allow for a few classes and practice over the holidays. Another strategy is to take 10 minutes a day to do simple meditation techniques; the short break of turning off your brain and consciously relaxing your body can do a world of good. Plan how you’ll unwind and de-stress before the stress starts.
To conclude, the most important thing you can do for yourself over the holidays is not be too hard on yourself. Bumps in the road and obstacles will inevitably get in your way. All you can do is your best. Sit back and enjoy quality time with your family and friends. Ultimately, it’s not the extra batch of cookies, the perfectly wrapped gifts under the tree, or the additional string of lights you managed to put up that you’ll remember – it’s the precious moments with loved ones.
Happy Holidays!
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