The holidays bring many people comfort and joy. But for others, this time of the year can be anything but festive. This year, instead of dreading the holidays, why not do something different and enjoy this magical time of the year. Below, I’ll share 5 tips that I share with the clients I personally coach to help them through the season. (I personally do these myself!)
Holiday De-Stress Secret 1: Keep Your Health A Priority
75% of annual weight gain takes place during the holidays. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, the average person gains between 7-10 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Years. That can add up, year after year.
With the colder weather and shorter days, it takes discipline to stay healthy and stay on track. What can you do when you’re surrounded by so many decadent yummy delights and glasses of holiday cheer? Plan ahead! Eat nutritious meals and healthy snack as much as possible. I personally bargain with myself. I will have the green salad topped with low fat protein knowing I’ll be attending a party after work.
Drinking water not only helps during the dry winter months but also with weight loss. Studies have shown, drinking 8 oz of water 30 minutes prior to eating has been shown to help reduce the number of calories you consume.
Holiday Weight Gain is easily curbed by exercise and drinking water! #HolidayDeStressIdeas Click To TweetHoliday De-Stress Secret 2: Keep Moving
Exercise daily! This will help you burn more calories throughout the day and allow for those extra calories this season. (Go watch this video on exercise.) Exercise will not only decrease your stress but it’s great for some alone time. I exercise in the morning and it’s the way that I choose to start my day off. (It also helps me drink at least one large bottle of water to stay hydrated!)
Holiday De-Stress Secret 3: Stay Focused on Your Business or Career
60% of companies will experience a dip in employee productivity during the holidays, according to the Institute of Corporate Productivity. During working hours, stay focused on your goals for your business or career. Ending the year will give you a great deal of satisfaction and sense of accomplishment. Getting in the habit of working during office hours will help you cross the finish line strong. Your employer will thank you, along with your customers, clients or patients. Do yourself a favor and shut off or hide any forms of distractions, such as your cell phone, iPad, office door, etc.
Holiday De-Stress Secret 4: Holiday Spending
Will you be one of the thousands of households, that will go deeper into debt this holiday season? Financial stress can wreck havoc on relationships. This year do something different and play this game. The number one rule is to set a budget and stick to it. Put the cash in an envelope and when it’s gone; you’re done. Now make a list of all the people you want to buy for and list out the gift ideas BEFORE you go shopping at the mall or on line. Be imaginative with ideas that do not cost much or anything at all. In the end, your loved ones will really want quality time with you. (Last year one of the gifts from my Dad was lunch together. Yes, that cost something, but the memories last for years.)
Holiday De-Stress Secret 5: Have Fun
The holidays will be gone before you know it and the New Year will bring it’s challenges. Being fully present for yourself, your friends and family will do great things for your relationships and fun meter. This year, get on the floor with the kids and play. Try not to take yourself so seriously and enjoy the festivities of the season.
Here are 5 Secrets to enjoying the holiday season this year. You can do each of them! Click To TweetThis year enjoy yourself and this festive time of the year, by keeping the above 5 tips or secrets in mind. You’ll decrease your stress levels, stay healthy and have fun, which will put you in the right frame of mind for the new year. In the comment section below, write (which is a great for accountability) what you will be committing to this holiday season…..
Yup, LA you are dead on. Typically, I stop working out and go to parties. This year, the weather has stayed warm for us, so I’ve been able to maintaine my daily walks at lunch time.
Thanks for the good advice.
I agree with most, but I do have a hard time with the budget thing. I want to give my kids a wonderful holiday. But the other part of me says to give them an experience and not stuff. Thank you, you’ve given me something to think about. ?
Great reminders. I’m going to commit to the exercising daily. It is a great way to keep off those extra calories from parties and I enjoy starting my day off at the gym. Loved the video by the way.