Holiday Stress?!

These two words shouldn’t be allowed in the same sentence... but for some, sadly enough they are synonymous.

How sweet would it be to actually enjoy the next few months of parties, get togethers and travel full of joy and holiday cheer? Today we are talking about how to cope with stress that often times comes along with the “Most Wonderful (and for some, most chaotic) Time of the Year”.

Get your Zzzzz’s and plenty of it! We want you to make it your first priority, shoot for 7-9 hours a night. Start winding down after dinner by shutting down electronic devices and cozying up with a cup of decaf tea (like a chai rooibos!) and a good book. Make your way into bed 30 minutes early and then work your way up to an hour before your usual bedtime, if you can! This one is the biggy ya’ll, getting enough quality shut eye really is make or break on cortisol (your stress hormone), mood and determines your overall productivity in life.

Hydrate and Stay hydrated.It’s not uncommon to feel less thirsty during the winter months. With the cooler weather, sometimes we just don’t crave that iced cold glass of water like you would in the summer. With that being said, it’s crucial to be getting lots of water even when you aren’t feeling thirst, water helps regulate your body temperature andgives your immune system a boost and prevent you from getting sick during prime flu season. Drinking water also increases metabolism and helps you feel fuller, longer, helping you maintain healthy eating habits during the holiday party season and treats on treats on treats!

Eat well. We want you fill up on the good stuff 80% of the time. This means during the next 2 months, make your typical day look like this: tons of in-season fruits and veggies, lean proteins, healthy, filling fats and  fiber rich grains. This type of diet keeps you full and gives you tons of energy to fuel you through the week and keep you healthy and on track with enough wiggle room to enjoy all of your favorite holiday goodies! Make eating healthfully most of the time, a goal and bulk up your meals with extra roughage to get maximum vitamins and nutrients. This way the other 20% of the time, you can dive into all the delicious offerings at your parties and events and enjoy them guilt-free with the people you love, knowing that you have a healthy balanced routine that you live by.

Take good supplements. Do some research and find out which supplements are right for your body that you may want to add to your diet to keep you feeling great this winter. We recommend upping your Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Omega 3 fish oil, Zinc and popping a daily Probiotic. Magnesium can also help with sleep, digestion and cravings, so this might be a good fit if you are struggling with these things.

Move your body. Regular exercise is sooo important for so many reasons. Not only does it keep your body healthy and active, it also helps manage stress and boosts mental clarity (yes please!). Aim for 30 minutes of some type of movement each day. If possible, try to get outside and go for a walk or jog to get that extra Vitamin D (even if it’s not sunny out, you’ll reap the benefits).

Treat yo self. This time of year, it is especially vital for you to show yourself some love and emphasize self care. You have a lot going on! Give yourself a well deserved break and enjoy some of your favorite non-food related indulgences that are just for you! This may be a spa treatment, a bubble bath and a glass of wine (yes, wine!), spending some quality time with a good friend or family member, or it may even be saying NO to an event you are just too tired to attend and spending some solo time, unplugged, instead!

So there you have it! Now that you have some helpful tips to keep in mind over the next few months, keep them in your tool belt! We would just like to encourage you to tune in and listen to yourself. Treat yourself with compassion and grace, remembering that you don’t have to do it all or be everything to everyone! This season should be spent enjoying relationships and making memories that will far surpass all the gifts and meals. Do your best to be present in each moment, honoring yourself and your needs and embracing the holiday season with love in your heart!