Holiday Stress Buster Tips

In an effort to get you through the holidays without permanent physical or mental scarring, Natasha Atkinson has put together some tips to navigate this year’s silly season!

Natasha has been in the fitness industry for two decades and understands the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. It’s through this commitment to fitness and living a healthy lifestyle that she expresses her passion and gets her clients to reach their full potential. She enjoys training clients of all fitness levels. She especially enjoys working with women to help them overcome the many barriers they face in their pursuit of fitness. Her certifications include Holistic Lifestyle Coach Level 1 and Exercise Coach from the C.H.E.K.Institute, National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and American Council on Exercise (ACE) Personal Trainer certifications.

With the holiday season underway, most of us are already experiencing some sort of stress. With a little planning we are able to make the season a lot more enjoyable. At every other time of year, we know that sleep, exercise, and a healthy diet are key factors in keeping stress at bay. With the fuss of the season, cooler temperatures, and the temptations of holiday treats, our normal healthy habits go quickly out the window. By just following a few simple tips, you can keep yourself on track and celebrating the new year with a healthier and happier you.

1. Moderation.  Overindulgence only adds to your stress and guilt.  Have a healthy snack before holiday parties so that you don’t go overboard on what you eat and drink. Skip seconds during large holiday parties and enjoy treats in smaller quantities. Opt for fresh fruit, cheese or nuts instead of heavier dips and pastries whenever possible.
2. Sleep. During the holidays, with all there is to do, the parties, the preparations, the shopping, the wrapping, and the cooking, it is easy to pay for the additional time required from our sleep time. Understand most of us don’t get the 7-8 hours we need a night as it is. Sometimes that 20 minute power nap will do wonders for your mind and body.
3. Budget.  Set a financial budget and stick to it. Falling prey to impulse buying and going all out with credit cards will only cause guilt and repercussions in January when the bills come in. You can’t buy happiness with gifts.
4. Prioritize.   It’s okay to say no. You can’t possibly attend every party, social event, buy every gift, visit every relative, and send out cards to a hundred people. Trying to do this only leads to massive stress. Ask yourself: Do I really want to do this? … if the answer is no, then cross it off your list.
5. KISS.  Keep it Super Simple. Don’t try to do it all. Save some for next year. If baking the cookies from scratch will be too much, try store bought cookies and let the kids decorate them, they will have just as much fun. When possible order online, ship item directly to out of town family or have the store wrap the gifts for you.
6. Expectations. We believe we should feel good during the holidays but many of us find ourselves anxious and overwhelmed. The holidays are a time when our schedules and routines change dramatically. Also, our expectations of what the holidays should be very often set us up for failure. Taking a different approach to the season may make a difference. If you change your perceptions, you change your reality.
7. Acknowledge your feelings. If the holidays bring a sense isolation or loneliness to you, consider seeking out community, religious, or other social events they can offer support and companionship. Volunteering your time at soup kitchen or food pantry will offer a rewarding feeling and possible lead to new friendships.
8. Enjoy.  It’s the journey, not just the destination. Find happiness in all of it. People often get so caught up in getting ready for the one day and they fail to realize it’s all the small things that make the holidays special.

We all want the holidays to be a happy time. By having realistic expectations and not overextending, you will keep your stress levels in check. I wish you a “full of joy” holiday season!