5 Ways to Find Calm in the Chaos of the Holiday Season
Did you know that 88% of Americans consider the holiday season to be the most stressful time of the year?
Though commercialism makes us think otherwise, the holidays can be tough for many people. Even when surrounded by others, this season can bring up feelings of loss, loneliness, and insecurity. It can also disrupt our routine, which so many of us rely on, especially on a health journey. Whatever you are feeling right now is valid, and we are here to support you.
On the bright and merry side, there are so many ways to ground yourself during the holidays to help you handle anything that might come your way with confidence and positivity! (All while wearing your favorite sweater, of course.)
We are here to help you find calm in the chaos this holiday season.
Here are 5 things you can do for yourself:
Refuel your mind each morning. We love a good “refuel” in the morning! A morning refuel is our method to release your thoughts. Simply write down everything that is on your mind, whether it seems important or not. Around this time of year, those thoughts could look like, “I’m feeling anxious about the holiday party tonight,” or “I don’t know how I can simply get everything done before family arrives,” or, “what am I going to make for dinner tonight?” By putting these thoughts on paper, you are not only releasing them from your mind, but you will be more likely to make a plan of action. For example, maybe you decide that the holiday party is causing more stress than happiness and you decide not to go. That’s ok! Maybe it’ll open up a window of time to channel your energy into something that makes you feel better, like getting your home ready for guests. In other words, you might discover some problem-solving techniques and feel calmer afterwards.
Flip the script on holiday parties. If you or your friends are thinking of throwing a last-minute holiday get-together, we encourage you to rethink the classic boozy hang. While festive cocktails can be fun, it doesn’t always leave us feeling our best the next morning. Instead, think outside the conventional party box and suggest a gift-wrapping party where everyone contributes a different wrapping item. Listening to your favorite playlist, you can catch up on life and wrap your gifts together. Or, consider a crafting party where you choose a homemade gift to make for loved ones or even homemade décor for your home. The combination of using your hands creatively and spending time with friends is calming and grounding!
Use the power of “no.” Ok people pleasers, we are looking at you! Trust us, we both are guilty of trying to make everyone happy and being in multiple places at once. However, ask yourself, “am I showing up as my best self?” When you are feeling stressed, overextended, or anxious about being somewhere, it can show. Reflect on your priorities and don’t be afraid to say “no” to something that doesn’t make you feel good. Our instinct knows best, so when in doubt, go off of that gut feeling.
Nourish your body, mostly. You know we strongly believe eating real, whole foods most of the time is a huge piece of managing inflammation and feeling good overall. However, this time of year is also filled with foods that have nostalgic meaning, taste incredible, and can enhance a celebration. With that said, be careful not to fall back into the “all or nothing” trap. If you know you have an indulgent meal ahead of you that you truly want to enjoy, make sure to nourish your body the best you can with the meals leading up to that. You will not only walk into the situation with balanced blood sugar (no “hangriness” here!), but you will be more likely to be in touch with your body to determine when you are satisfied.
Embrace flexibility. It is inevitable that your routine is going to be interrupted more in the next couple of weeks than usual. When you have discovered a lifestyle of balance, flexibility is one of the most important tools to lean on. Flexibility isn’t a panic button. It’s a moment of reassurance that you are confident enough to make a detour. Embrace a last-minute change of plans, a dish that didn’t turn out as planned, or take-out after a long few days of hosting. Your regularly scheduled programming will always be waiting for you to come right back.
Bonus Tip: Stick with your morning routine! A solid morning routine has been proven to keep us grounded, and it is by far our favorite tool during the holiday season. If you are still working on establishing one or want to learn more about the importance of this, check out our Morning Routine Masterclass!
Wishing you a happy, healthy, and calm holiday season!
Mel and Mel
