Enjoying the Holiday Season
The holiday season is here! Plans, parties, gatherings and traveling will be at their highest. Following routines and your typical lifestyle habits can become a struggle.
There’s a lot of guilt and pressure that can come along with the holidays.
Whether that’s from eating too much; eating types of foods you usually avoid; family or friends making you feel bad for passing on dessert; or whatever the case may be.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to maintain consistency or fostering a healthy harmony.
We encourage you to have a guilt-free holiday season this year. Although this might be easier said than done, we come bearing tips and reminders. There are mental, physical and nutritional ideas you can focus on.
Nutrition
Remaining consistent can be a challenge when surrounded by all the food, dessert and alcohol. If your goal is to maintain your typical diet, coming up with a plan might work best for you. Decide what and how much you’d like to eat.
It IS okay if your plan changes.
Start by filling up on veggies and high-fiber foods. Don’t forget about protein either. Having a plate with both veggies and protein will help keep your blood sugar balanced.
You’ll stay full for a longer period of time.
When it comes to alcohol, clear and little sugar is always best.
It’s typical that we tend to limit what we eat leading up to a big meal or party. We think we’re smart by “saving room.” This actually sets up most individuals for failure and discomfort.
You will be starving by the time you eat. This type of hunger leads to overeating. We also tend to eat super fast which hinders digestion.
Instead of feeling full and satisfied, you’ll feel awkwardly stuffed and uncomfortable.
Eat what you enjoy and what looks good to you at the moment. Even if you went into the meal with a plan, it’s okay to deviate if your feelings have changed. Having this flexibility will leave you feeling better.
Physical
It can also be difficult to stick to the same workout routine during the holidays. Taking a few days off does not mean you’ll lose progress or strength. Remember, rest days are essential.
However, if movement makes you feel good and happy.
Do what you can. You can purchase day passes at gyms, go for walks, do yoga flows, join group classes, do an at-home workout or anything that gets you moving. Make it fun and ask others to join you!
Your activity level is ALWAYS up to you. You can even choose to go with the flow. Walk one day; rest the next; walk and do yoga the following – every day can look different.
Mental
The holidays vary for everyone. They can be a happy time for one person, a sad time for another, a struggle for the next and so on. This can be due to family dynamics; loved ones that have died; struggles with food or body image; etc.
A good piece of advice is to remember to stay present. Be where you are and who you’re with. Connect to the current moment by pausing, journaling or grounding.
This will help you soak up all the moments turning them into memories.
Enter this season with the mentality that one, or even a few, “bad” days does not ruin progress. Pay attention to your perspective and internal dialogue. If you feel like you’ve gotten too off track, make it a priority to be 1% better the next day.
Additional tips to foster a good mentality during the holidays:
Spend less time on social media
Prioritize harmony rather than perfection
Have a handful of coping mechanisms picked
Avoid restriction
Takeaways
These three areas most definitely overlap and the tips can be used interchangeably. Take what you need and leave what you don’t. These are great lifestyle habits not only for the holidays, but everyday life as well.
Bottom line: Do and eat what is best for you. If you have an “off” day, give yourself grace and move forward. Control what you can to set yourself up for a fun, happy holiday season.