Don’t be fooled by the festive nature of this graphic. I’m in a funk.
And being in a funk is no way to start the holidays. As we all know, the holiday season will hit the fan on Friday, when we’ll suddenly be in a full-on, event-packed, to-do-list-filled, memory-making sprint that lasts until January 1st. That requires stamina, both emotional and physical.
So to shore up some emotional stamina, I’m reading through a list I made last year and putting the ideas into action: How to Save Time & Cut Stress at the Holidays is actually a collection of YOUR wisdom. I sent up a white flag of surrender last holiday season to my Real Mom Nutrition Facebook community, admitting to feeling drained and grinchy. Hundreds of you responded with empathy and so much good advice that I had to compile my favorites into a list and then make a printable so I could share it with the world! There are so many smart ideas in that list, you really should take a peek.
Get the free printable: How to Save Time & Cut Stress at the Holidays
For physical stamina, I’m setting some goals for myself. My criteria for all health-related goals: They have to be small–smaller than I think I’m capable of. Because meeting goals feels great, but blowing past them feels even better. (Keep that in mind if you’re looking at these and thinking, “meh, easy-peasy”.)
- Drink a green smoothie at least three mornings a week. I don’t think there’s anything magical about a green smoothie. But for me, it’s a North Star of sorts, guiding me toward a healthy day. It also feels like a reset button–what my friend Danielle Omar would call getting into your “peak state“. And who couldn’t use more green leafies in their life?
- Take at least 10,000 steps a day. I’m bringing my FitBit (and a few fun FitBit bands) out of retirement, just in time for the kind of weather that makes me want to hibernate with a blanket and a bowl of pasta.
- Do intentional exercise at least twice a week. I’ve fallen off the exercise wagon. It happens. (see: Fall Off Exercise Wagon. Get Back On. Repeat.) Intentional exercise means above and beyond walking the dog or running errands on foot. It means a weekend boot camp class I signed up for with a friend, popping in a yoga DVD, or firing up the 7-Minute Workout app on the iPad.
If you’d like to set some health goals for December, please share them in the comments–I’d love to hear about them and cheer you on!
Hi! I'm Sally, a dietitian-mom.
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Casey the College Celiac says
I think my biggest goal will be slowing down and enjoying the present.
Sally says
Casey–that’s a great one. I need to add that one to my list too.
Laura Koller says
What a timely post, a good reminder to prepare rather than react to the chaos of the season. I love the printable – that “want, need, wear, read” guideline has just simplified my holiday agonizing and shopping. Regarding the small goal thing, have you ever heard of Kaizen? It’s the same principle of “ridiculously” small changes, even just 15 seconds a day. At this point, I’m satisfied with putting dinner on the table each night (whatever I can manage – check!) and choosing sanity whenever possible Mental health is essential at this time of year!!!
I appreciate your honesty about the funk. I think the hardest thing about this season is the pressure to pretend everything is alright when for many of us it’s a struggle. Remember that social support trumps EVERYTHING when it comes to health and longevity, so if that intentional exercise morphs into meeting a friend at the coffee shop – then you’re a winner in my book.
Sally says
Hi Laura–thanks for your comment. I like that idea of Kaizen. I’ve often said we’re all works in progress when it comes to our eating. 🙂 And thank you for the empathy in regards to my funk. You hit the nail on the head–and you’re right, social support is the best thing right now. Thank you!