How Do You Prioritize Your Health To Handle The Holiday Stress?
This holiday season, I want to share some healthy holiday tips to help keep your health a priority. Recently, I created a poll on LinkedIn about staying on track with healthy eating habits during the holiday celebrations and to be honest, I was not surprised by the results.
It takes a little thinking and planning to stay on track during the holidays and not feel like you are spiraling out of control. If needed, and by all means, seek help from someone who cares and can hold you accountable before you start derailing. As a reminder, that’s what I’m here for! Reach out to me by setting up a time to talk here.
I want to share with you a few tips on staying healthy during the holidays. Learning how to navigate the holiday stress before you feel like you are out-of-control will help things become more manageable. The idea is for you to minimize stress by perceiving stress differently.
Here are some healthy holiday tips you can start with right away:
- Decide And Write Down Your Goals
- Plan Ahead
- Keep It Simple
- Stop Regrets In Their Tracks
- Find Support
- Going Back To Basics
Decide And Write Down Your Goals
Here is where the magic happens. Think of what you want to accomplish. Decide on that end result and draft a simple goal. Just ONE SIMPLE GOAL. But it won’t get done if you don’t write it down.
Now that it’s written, you need to revise it every single day. Choose a “Me Time” like early in the morning and revise your goal. Where are you headed? Ask yourself some questions, like “Are the activities I am planning today getting me closer to my goal?”
We need to be reminded about our goals and desires often. Why? Because that simple trick will keep you accountable and focused especially during this time of the year.
Plan Ahead
If you fail to plan, then you’re planning to fail. If something is not scheduled, it just does not get done.
So, rule #1. Set up time to plan. It’s that simple. Say, every Friday it will be my meal plan day. Every Saturday is my grocery shopping day. Every Sunday is my meal prep days. So this time of the year, planning shouldn’t be different and is actually necessary.
If you have set goals for your health, then make it a non-negotiable activity and “make time” to plan and don’t wing it! With that say, take out your calendar or open up your google calendar and set up recurring dates for yourself and start planning for success during the holidays!
Keep It Simple
I am an advocate for simplicity. This is not the time of the year to overcomplicate things. Especially if it is related to your health and wellbeing. You need YOU to get going, right! You need to be at your best for your loved ones.
Find ways to simplify your routines, your chores, your cooking, your workout, etc… Or reach out to a done-for-you program. Why spend time on meal planning or trying to figure things out on your own if someone has done the work for you.
Check out my program here and save some time while keeping yourself on track during the holidays and afterwards.
Stop Regrets In Their Tracks
Before you start regretting and worrying about what you ate or drank, stop them before they start. First, try applying the tips above. Second, if you ate it, you ate it. No regrets. Did you enjoy it? Why did you have that food you are now regretting? Was it in the plan?
Well, there is good news here. Get back up on the train and keep going, with the learning experience that next time you will have planned better or tweak something like “out of sight, out of mind”.
Don’t buy foods that derail you and that you know are tempting. I know it’s easier said than done, especially if you have more members of the family around with different goals as you. Here is when a good mindset about your goals and your planning comes into play. Do you want to accomplish your goal or not?
Find Support
One thing is true. You’re not alone in this holiday season. Most people derail from their healthy habits, especially during the holidays. As you can see in my LinkedIn poll, 54% of people answered “Absolutely Not”. They don’t stay on track.
Once you know what you want, your goal, someone to hold you accountable. Find friends to go on a walk with. Have a coach/trainer remind you to go to the gym or do some squats in the kitchen while you wait for something to warm up.
Find a support group who will help you stay out of trouble. Hire a health coach to help you with your lifestyle habits. Recruit whoever it is that will be there for you and help hold you accountable. Chances are they could probably use your help too, just ask!
Going Back To Basics
I always like to say and keep this in mind. If all else fails, remember the basics. Drink water, get to sleep, eat your fruits & veggies, move a little (or a lot, your choice!), brush your teeth, have fun, make time for yourself, etc. The simpler, the better. Stick to your morning routine as much as you can to keep your days balanced!
Health shouldn’t be complicated. You don’t need to count every last macro to be healthy this holiday season. Worry about that later when the rush has slowed down, but for now, stay afloat and on track this holiday season.
I hope you’re with me for applying one, two or all of these healthy holiday tips. They work for me and my clients and I am sure they will work for you! Reach out to me if you need help. I am here for you.
Enjoy yourself a little bit, treat yourself the healthier way by deciding what you’re after and what you want for your health and life, then plan ahead by keeping it simple. Don’t worry and regret when things don’t go the way you expected. Find support when needed, go back to basics and most importantly spread some joy and love during the holidays!
