The holidays always look different for everyone, but for many of us, this time of year means shopping for and wrapping gifts, baking delicious treats, and hosting and attending parties with our loved ones. The season is full of giving, laughter, and joy all around, but it can also be stressful to worry about how to find the perfect gifts, what all that potential food will do for our goals, and, this year in particular, what gathering might look like in a safe way.
Feeling anxious about the holidays this year is normal, so it’s important to have the tools we need to overcome that feeling and get back to enjoying the magic of the season.
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By focusing on the holiday joy that’s in the air and making a plan to celebrate, you will be less overwhelmed and enjoy the season more.
Here are some tips on how to focus on holiday joy this year:
Start with Celebrating Everyday Successes
It can be easy to feel like things aren’t going well this year. But if you take some time every day to recognize your small victories, they will add up to a whole lot more joy.
For example, I restarted a 2-3x weekly strength training routine about 6 weeks ago. At the beginning, it was tough. I wasn’t lifting the weights I wanted to, and I wasn’t as strong as I thought I was. But I kept going and this week, all of a “sudden”, I was easily lifting heavier weights. I’m also sleeping better and standing up straighter. All of these little celebrations added up to me feeling really good about my progress, which makes me a happier, nicer person to be around 🙂 Find something to celebrate every day and you’ll find yourself happier too.
Related Post: Three Simple Steps to Eating Healthier During the Holidays
Set Yourself Up For Success by Making a Plan for All Those Food Temptations
Being healthy doesn’t mean that you can’t participate in all your favorite food this year!
You can experience holiday joy and not sabotage your goals at the same time. Making a plan will make that easier. What does that look like? Well, you know you’re going to be surrounded by sweet treats all month long, so plan ahead.
Take a look at your calendar to see when you’re going to stick to your meal plan (maybe even eat a little cleaner) and when you’re going to enjoy your treats (guilt free!). This will keep you from feeling deprived or going overboard. I encourage you to find a balance that works for you, so you can enjoy all your favorites in moderation and leave the guilt behind.
Practice Self-Care Whenever You Need It
When things get busy, the first thing to go is usually our own wellbeing. If we don’t take care of ourselves, that makes it so much harder to take care of others.
As the days get shorter and the to-do list gets longer, it can feel hard to justify time spent on yourself, but it is really more important than ever. Fit some me-time into your schedule, whether it means creating time for a great workout, having a chat with a close friend, or just breaking away for a few minutes to clear your mind. It can be easy to get irritated if there is too much on your plate, but this time of year is all about celebrating with time spent with our loved ones. Taking some time for self-care will help you to enjoy every joyful moment without wondering about the next thing on the list.
Give Yourself Grace
We can plan all we want, but the truth is, some things are not going to go according to plan. So if you eat one too many cookies or feel sad that you can’t host your annual party this year, take a deep breath, show yourself forgiveness and remind yourself about the meaning of this season to you. Give grace to yourself and others when things don’t follow your plans. That will help us all to navigate any stress and let us soak in every moment of this joy-filled season!
How are you going to celebrate the holidays this year? Share your thoughts in the comments!
DAWN MCGEE
Dawn McGee is a certified and licensed Nutrition Evangelist and a long-time foodie, she focuses on both the health and joy of food as fuel for your body. She is a driving force in bringing education on healthy eating to more people through her community, my “Reclaim Your Life, One Bite at a Time” programs, and my book “365 Days of Healthy Living”. Her hope for you is that you live a life you love, without being hungry, feeling deprived, or giving up your glass
