Healthy Holidays: 7 Ways to Stay Merry & Bright

Mamas, we’re in a crossfire of holidays it would appear. I don’t know about you, but I feel like in one hand I’m nibbling on a turkey leg while the other is fastidiously busy untangling the umpteen eleventy-bajillion strands of Christmas lights. And it’s not even Thanksgiving yet!

The holiday season is very much like the assortment of delectable dishes found at your Thanksgiving feast. Lots to taste. Lots of choices. And lots in which to be provisionally grateful, moreover blessed.

Yes, these holly-drenched garlands also known as October-November-December drape across our front porch awnings as symbols of the fullness of festivity and bustle that one good celebration after another brings.

And then BOOM. It’s January. We’re broke. Up 2 pant sizes and completely ready for a good 3 week vacay from all members of our very bloodline.

Ahem.

So it is with all this in mind, that I give you 7 steps to staying merry and bright this holiday season. Because sisters? A healthy holiday is so much better than a hot mess one. You with me?

PLAN. Not every Santa’s Workshop is worthy of your presence. In as much, if you’ve made one gingerbread house, then you’ve made twenty. It’s important to kinda take some time and map out key components to your family’s celebrations so as not to overwhelm yourself along with your kiddos with, “Ooooh, looooook, sweetie. Santa wants you to sit on his lap with Timmy. Tell him something extra special different than last week when you sat on his lap with Sam.” 

Same goes for family celebrations. Whether you live nearby your family or far away, it’s important that you make some decisions early regarding what works best for your household regarding children’s ages, budget, other scheduled gatherings and personal preferences. Lots of times, the stress of being there ON THE DAY can be eradicated when you scope out a good feel for other options.

PERSPECTIVE. We live in a world where NOW & EVERYTHING is becoming a bit overkill. Things don’t bring happiness. They can’t hold a hand when you’re sad or make you giggle so uncontrollably you can hardly stand it. Children AND adults need to value presence OVER presents. Make time for the faces that you love. Don’t concentrate on the places that you “HAVE” to be. It might be that you choose a few fewer gifts this year in exchange for a little more time celebrating the ones that have been gifted to you. Less is more.

INVEST. Look outside of your family. There are so many ways to teach kindness, giving and selflessness to children all by just investing in the lives of someone who could use the hands and feet of love. Choose a child off of an angel tree. Find a non-profit organization like this one and commit to sponsoring an underprivileged child for a year. Donate your time to a soup kitchen serving. Take a handful of toys to a local shelter. Find a family in need and surprise them with a slew of gift cards collected and compiled by your playgroup friends. Pay for someone else’s lunch in the fast food line behind you. Make it a point to see the beauty of the holiday outside of your 4 walls. Your gratitude will grow.

MODERATION. The holidays are kinda like ALL SKATE at the good ole roller rink. From pumpkin pie to boiled custard and holy shnikeys, the cookie swaps…we are inundated with all kinds of rich and delicious. That doesn’t mean we have to roll on through these celebrations and festivities while our sparkly skates shimmer iridescence off the disco ball of UNNECESSARY caloric intake.

And ladies? Oh.the.drinkies. Peppermint cocktails, White Russians and wine and wine and wine. WHOA. A little goes a long way. Take time to the enjoy the sips. The scents. The tingles. The crunches and gooey centers too. Let’s not make October-November-December one great BIG giant OPEN ALL NIGHT BUFFET.

INGEST. Let’s do that for our bodies this holiday season. Water. Drink it. Start now what so many of us boastfully begin January 1st. Get excited about the idea of beginning a healthy regimen now as opposed to later. Water intake is key in digestion, increasing energy, boosting the immune system and flushing out toxins to name a few. Go here for a more detailed list of the benefits of drinking one less carbonated beverage.

The right kinds of foods is another way to keep us jingling jolly this holiday season. Breakfast is so critical. It begins the rotation of your body’s daily metabolism. Start your day by ingesting solid energy and good fuel. This is my go-to breakfast. Opt for cleaner choices at lunch or for snack. Have veggies and fruit at the ready. Almonds make for a great pairing atop salads or swirled inside yogurt. Find simple ways to say no to heavy starches through the week so to boost your body not just physically but emotionally and mentally too.

Lastly, take a vitamin. Find a great one-a-day and start that trend now. B-12 for energy is another great resource. Look for ways to supplement the quality of fuel your body needs to run effectively. It’s easy to slack during these festive times. Take advantage of easy options for a good kinda you.

MOVE. Get out and play. Exercise. If that means bundling up, then get right to it. Vitamin D is critical in the health of your immune system. This article reports that just 10 minutes of afternoon sunshine is a great start to fulfilling you vitamin D needs. Exercise releases endorphins. These endorphins are the natural chemicals in our bodies used to elevate mood and enhance overall disposition. Ummm, anyone out there need a little pick-me-up that’s ah-la-free? Walk, jog, play with your kiddos. Find an outside source of happiness and make it a part of your routine.

REST. Yes, stillness is good for the soul. Less hustle. Less go-go-go. Make time to get to bed 30 minutes early a couple nights a week. Plan for a night of popcorn and jammies with the family. Check out one of the books you’ve been dying to begin, but haven’t given yourself the chance. Read a little each night. Catch a movie with a group of girlfriends one Sunday afternoon if possible. Make small movements towards bringing yourself to a place of rejuvenation in this busy holiday season.

Merry & Bright, y’all.  Here’s wishing you a wonderful stretch of so much happy.

Repeat after me: “HEALTHY OVER HOT MESS.” You got this.