It’s that time of year again! Holiday season is among us and one thing is for certain… holidays can take a toll!
While magical and exciting, holidays can also be tiring and exhausting, draining our mental and physical energy, as well as reducing our stamina to love and care for both others and ourselves.
Holidays are about giving—giving to others, yes—but don’t forget to take care of yourself, your own health and wellbeing, in the blur of errands, decorations, hosting and festivities.
Truth is, shopping, cooking, and prepping for company takes an abundance of time, energy, and personal resources etc., all on top of your already busy work-life schedule.
Thus, we must pay careful attention to how we are attempting to replenish all that we are expending.
Here are four tips to help you start building up your own holiday reserves— reserves to keep you happy, healthy, and energized this holiday season.
1. Time-Block Holiday To-Do’s: It’s important to set aside a bit of time each day to plan, shop, wrap, call a family member to coordinate, bake cookies, etc. This could be as little as 15 minutes, or as long as a three-hour chunk of time—it’s up to you.
Blocking off time for “holiday to-do’s” will aid you in finding and maintaining a balance for success in both holiday preparations and your work-life schedule. It’s common for holiday worries, such as “Will I get it done?” “What if I can’t find that toy?” “I forgot to bake those cookies!!” to creep in, distracting and stagnating productivity to accomplish anything. Thus, time blocks work to counteract this worry by offering time specifically for holiday errands, consequently, decreasing worry in the moment, and decreasing the constant distraction of holiday “to-do’s.”
2. Drop the “Holiday Hero” Act & Delegate: We all like to be the holiday hero, right? Swooping in to secure the most perfect gift, or racing around town to find the “out-of-stock” toy. Feelings of wanting to do it all and do it perfectly are high during the holidays. Yet, it’s important to remember that holidays are about giving, they are about community, and they are about relationships and spending time together. Thus, asking for help or enlisting a small army of elves to help with holiday “magic”—that’s living with the holiday spirit.
3. Holiday Fuel: With so much to accomplish, energy is paramount. What we put into our bodies matters!! As the cold creeps in, it’s easy to crave comfort foods—potpie, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and of course, sweets—peppermint bark, brownies, and gingerbread. Yet, these heavy, sugary foods drain fuel not replenish it. Instead, try supplementing your holiday diet with a few high-quality carbs, like whole grains, fruits and vegetables, as well as lean proteins and fats like beans and nuts. A small healthy snack might provide just the boost you need to check that last errand off your list.
4. Holiday Spirit: Don’t forget to nurture your own holiday spirit this season. It’s important to take time each week to do something that builds your own holiday excitement and happiness. Whether that’s stopping for a decadent peppermint hot chocolate from Starbucks, shopping a sale and dropping a little something for you into the cart, or even lighting a holiday candle and taking a moment to sit and take it all in… don’t miss the small opportunities to treat yourself this holiday. Showing yourself care allows you to better show care for others.
Don’t worry too much about exercise. The hustle and bustle of holiday shopping is sure to provide steps and stairs to get your blood pumping and your muscles moving.
And remember, the holidays are all about how you show up. It’s the time spent with loved ones celebrating traditions that really matters.
Start building up your reserves today to ensure energy and wellness this holiday season!