"You always have time for the things you put first."
- Anonymous
Developing a strategy for maintaining positive health habits through the holiday season starts with explicit knowledge, awareness, and acceptance of how this season has played out in your past. Did you buy Halloween candy three weeks in advance and find yourself eating through the candy bowl before the kids show up on Halloween night? Do you have a history of overeating on Thanksgiving only to see yourself continuing the trend well through the New Year? Has Christmas always been full of last-minute shopping stress, added credit card debt, and attending parties you don't even want to join?
If this sounds like you, you are not alone. I have heard countless stories just like these that have thrown people so off track that they come to me in January aiming to lose those extra "holiday pounds" they mindlessly put on and re-starting an exercise program they forgot about for the past three months.
How do you prevent this from continuing to happen to you? You stop it by hitting the pause button and taking a moment to develop proactive holiday strategies that will keep your health a priority despite the crazy times. By implementing a premeditated holiday game plan, you can fully enjoy the holiday while finding time to stick with your essential lifestyle, exercise, attitude, and nutritional practices.
How you choose to spend your time, which routine activities you must include, and typical responses to various encounters throughout the day are all lifestyle choices. Whether you make these choices intentionally or by chance, they are still lifestyle behaviors that usually dictate how the future will -play out. Becoming aware of customary ways of life and choosing a more purposeful approach will pay dividends down the road. Change isn't always easy, but when making positive modifications to your lifestyle, the ones that will improve the quality of your life, health, and wellbeing are well worth the effort!
Here are a few lifestyle strategies to help you include health in the holidays:
Mindful morning routines
I am a firm believer that what you do in the morning sets the tone for the rest of your day. By intentionally making that first step a positive health habit, subsequent healthy behaviors will follow. Science proves that choosing a sugary breakfast first thing in the morning will make you crave more sugar, while a high protein and nutrient-dense first meal will set you up for more healthy low sugar food choices. Drinking water right after you wake up has tremendous health benefits, and including movement early in the day encourages more activity throughout the day. Beginning the day with positive thoughts and affirmations boosts a better mood and ability to handle difficult situations positively. Be mindful about how you start the day and think of it as an essential first step in a series of steps guiding you throughout the day. Add an easy-to-do positive habit to your morning routine that puts you on a better track from the very start, and let this anchor habit grow over time. Here are a few helpful ideas:
Make sure the first meal of the day is a healthy no sugar option like avocado and egg toast, a protein smoothie, or a veggie hash with eggs.
Including movement first thing in the morning like a 10-minute workout circuit, short morning yoga routine, or quick 5-minute walk outside.
Start each day with positive thoughts and affirmations such as: “I have it within me to solve any challenges that occur today.”, “I am able to make smart decisions for myself today.”, “I am happy and content with my life”, or The Maui Habit.
Pause and think before you act and accept.
Regardless of how hectic the holiday may be, you still hold the cards and decide to play or not. Take a moment to ask yourself if the choice you are about to make is in alignment with your health goals, and make the wisest choice at that moment. Perhaps you dread attending a typical holiday event or can't seem to resist Auntie Debbie's special macaroni and cheese on Thanksgiving, yet you already know these challenges are approaching. Develop a proactive strategy that will assist you through these moments and allow for a more successful outcome.
Find an excuse to leave an undesired event early. Perhaps you have an appointment (with yourself) to exercise, meal prep, or read a good book. Remember, appointments with yourself to improve your health and wellness are still appointments, and you shouldn't feel guilty about them!
If there are "not so healthy" holiday favorites on the buffet table, maybe you make a promise to yourself to fill your plate with all the healthier options first and take a smaller portion of the "not so healthy" favorite last.
Simply put, take control of the choices you make where you have control and do your best with the rest.
Plan time to create positive memories and do things that make you feel good
Preplan ways to make the holidays enjoyable for you so you don't get caught up only serving the needs of others. Maybe you've always wanted to try something else for the holidays, simplify them or make them more meaningful. This holiday season is the perfect time to make a list of things you'd like to do to change things up. Here are a few ideas you may want to try:
Make homemade healthy treats for your co-workers and neighbors.
Take your kids to a Salvation Army Angel Tree and give a gift to a child or senior in need.
Bring a healthy vegetable dish to family gatherings.
Give homemade Christmas gifts, cards, or decorations
Set aside quiet time to take in the season and recoup.
In all the hustle and bustle that the holiday season can bring, don't forget to schedule a time to breathe, think and jot down a few plans to manage the next days' tasks more efficiently. The simple act of preplanning will alleviate some last-minute stress and allow you to get everything done in a systematic and relaxed manner.
If you found this post helpful, please share it with your friends and family. Help us help the ones you love live healthier, happier, and more purposeful lives.
Join us next Sunday when we share ideas on maintaining your exercise program through challenging and stressful times.
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