Last week we posted a quick read listing the benefits of pre-gaming your holiday planning; getting out ahead of the rush and bustle makes for a smoother and let’s cut to the chase – a happier and less stressful holiday season.
I suggested that you simplify, creatively meal plan and cook ahead, keep up your wellness routines, de-emphasize gifting material gifts, schedule wisely, emphasize fun, and exercise your gratitude muscles more.
Here’s five plus one more success suggestions for your holiday week…
Get Some Sun (and Up Your Vitamin D)
I know, I know, we’re at the very end of the astrological fall with solstice coming up tomorrow, marking the astrological start of winter and the shortest day of the year.
For those not outside every day, whether for work or workout, schedule some time in the sun (when it’s out!), and make sure you’re consuming enough vitamin D to make up for lost hours of sun exposure during these short winter days. Odds overwhelmingly are that you need more vitamin D in your life right now.
Double Down on Your Exercise Routines
Schedules seem to burst at the seams this time of year; make it a highly-valued priority to stay with your wellness and exercise routines, perhaps even scheduling an extra hour or two of fun physicality (you know what you like) this week and next. Traveling this holiday? Plan ahead and take whatever gear you need as well as cover gym, pool, track (or whatever) logistics before you drive or fly. You’ll be glad you did.
Dump Digital (Everything)
There’s so much good to attend to right now right at your fingertips, why waste a minute thumbing through the latest gifs, gossip, and images on social media? Put down your phone and tablet, get off your computer, and turn off the damned television.
Try a ten day digital fast and you just might never go back (we dumped TV during the holidays in 2002 and have never looked back; it’s been one of the wisest things we’ve ever done as a family).
Eschew Perfection and Have Fun Instead
You know the holiday perfectionist; there seems to be one (or more) in every family clan or group of friends. Perfection really can be (it actually is) the enemy of the good; relax, laugh more, and stress the little (particularly the inconsequential ones) details MUCH less.
Now and then I’ll actually have someone push back when I suggest they have more fun in their life, the response being something along the lines of “just what in the hell should I do for fun?” The short answer, of course, is whatever the heck you think is truly fun. Think like a kid, and play.
Have Some Fun with Intermittent Fasting
Especially if intermittent fasting is part of your typical daily routine, keep it up during the oncoming food blitz during the holiday weeks. Sure, your mother/grandmother/mother-in-law/assorted other relatives may ply you with goodies and have a carb-bomb buffet running in the kitchen 24/7, but politely stand your ground and use the WHEN principle (When Hunger Ensues Naturally) to guide your thoughtful consumption. We just did this on a quick family trip and were able to share in detail about a healthy lifestyle with family who desperately need to make a change.
Embrace Inspiring Friends and Loved Ones, Ignore the Others
Invest time with friends and family this holiday season who inspire, encourage, encourage, and motivate you. Please take a moment to thank them for their influence and inspiration over the past year, and perhaps even ponder how you might return the favor. Friends and family who like to smile and laugh belong on that same ‘much appreciated’ list.
Have friends and family who invoke gnashing of teeth, headaches, raised voices, and stress? Send a card, be polite, wish them well, but protect you and yours from their contagious angst.
Attitudes are infectious; surround yourself with happy, productive, uplifting people this season. And always be mindful of how you might encourage and inspire those around you.
