Don’t mind me, I’m just rocking around the Christmas Tree for the holidays! I love this time of year–everything is so magical: the lights, the music, and the joyful atmosphere.
What makes the holidays so joyful for me is I have found healthy ways to balance my favorite holiday traditions with my healthy lifestyle. The holidays are full of temptations like sugary treats, indulgent foods, and alcohol that can easily knock you off track.
However, if you plan properly, you can easily transform those holidays into something that supports your health. For example, you can trade out unhealthy Christmas Cookies for healthy homemade spiced nuts.
Here are some other ideas I love:
- Plan a winter hike or nature walk to enjoy the season
- Start a gratitude jar to fill with notes of thanks throughout the month
- Try cooking a new, healthy holiday recipe with friends or family
- Host a virtual holiday talent show with friends or family
- Create a family or friend holiday tradition of giving back through charity work
- Begin a holiday family wellness challenge with steps for self-care and fitness
Use a little creativity, and you’ll find small tweaks that can really help you balance your goals with all the holiday fun.
Although I love the holidays, I know for some people, the holidays can be a really emotionally challenging time. They may bring painful memories from the past, especially when you are missing friends and family. They can also bring difficult interactions with family members who don’t always respect your boundaries. Further, they can be a really lonely time, where you feel isolated and cut off from the holiday joy.
In addition, the holidays can be some of the darkest times of the year–especially because the sun goes away, bringing seasonal affective disorder (SAD) that can further trigger anxiety and depression.
If you struggle with your mental health during the holidays, here’s some things that can help.
- Reach out to a loved one if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the holidays
- Set boundaries on holiday parties to avoid burnout and sleep loss
- Take a quiet moment to soak in the beauty of the Christmas season
- Remind yourself that it’s okay to not feel joyful all the time during the holidays
- If you’re grieving, acknowledge your loss and allow yourself to feel the emotions
Remember, your Christmas doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s—embrace your own traditions. And, if things get really difficult, reach out to a therapist or counselor.
Another thing I love about the holidays is that they give me time to recenter, reflect, and recharge my goals.
I urge you to do the same!
Remember, don’t set resolutions. Resolutions are hard to achieve. They are abstract and usually pretty unrealistic. That is why only 9% of people ever actually achieve them.
Set SMART goals instead. SMART goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. They are much easier to achieve than resolutions because they have a clear path to success.
Overall, being lovingly present is one of the best holiday gifts you can give to yourself and to others. Acknowledge how far you’ve come, and dream big about what 2025 has in store! That’s what I’m doing!
————————————————————————————————————————————
Looking for a truly meaningful Christmas gift that will last a lifetime?
Why not give the gift of healing with my book ”UNBREAK ME”!
Get it here —>https://wendyida.com/unbreak-me/
Written from my own experiences with abuse, self-doubt, and fear, I share the tools I have used to push through any challenge.
You or your loved one will learn:
- How to let go of your past traumas & make room for growth
- How to overcome anxiety, banish negativity, & live a life you’ve never dreamed.
Don’t wait—order your copy today and spark your journey to wellness!
————————————————————————————————————————————
“Even in the darkest moments, light exists if you have faith to see it.” – Dean Koontz
