Tips for staying sane this season
The holiday season is a joyful yet hectic time that happens every year. Parties, family visits, travel, and lots of cooking fill our calendars; and often leave us feeling drained and stressed. You might be wondering, “How can I enjoy the holiday without losing my mental health? Or how do I prevent burnout and start the new year feeling energized, not exhausted?”
The truth is, the stress of managing social commitments, shopping, and trying to create perfect moments can overwhelm anyone. If you’ve ever asked, “How can I avoid letting myself go during the holidays?” The answer lies in finding the balance between enjoying the season and maintaining your momentum. When life gets busy, you’re often the first to suffer. The focus shifts to attending gatherings, managing expectations, and keeping everyone else happy. Unfortunately, your own needs get pushed aside. The result? You might feel like your progress from the past months has vanished and you’re stuck starting over again. On January 1st.
It’s like every January 1st, we hit the reset button; everyone sets the exact same resolutions they made the year before. Why is it so hard to break the cycle and stick with our goals beyond the fresh start of a new year? If you’ve ever wondered why your resolutions don’t last or how to finally achieve lasting change, you’re definitely not alone. This annual ritual of hope mixed with frustration happens to so many of us, year after year.
This year, I’m not just hoping for you. I am believing in you. I want you to glide through the holiday season like never before: radiant with happiness bursting with health, and fueled by a fire of motivation that lights your way. Step into the new year not just on the right foot, but dancing forward with relentless energy and a spirit, bursting with potential.
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Here are a few specific ways to keep yourself on track and maintain your momentum:
Fuel Your Body: Holiday treats abound, but overeating can lead to sluggishness and stress. Mindful eating means paying attention to WHAT and HOW MUCH you eat. Instead of eating out of FOMO (fear of missing out), savor each bite slowly and prioritize nourishing foods. Hydration is equally important – drink plenty of water. Focus on how you want to feel, not just how much you can consume.
Stay Active: Cold weather is no excuse to neglect physical health. Whether it’s scheduling short workouts, taking a brisk walk, getting outside to walk your dogs, or just simply moving your body for 10 minutes a day can help you stay energized can help you stay energized. A lot of people wonder, “Do quick workouts actually help?”. The answer is yes. Moving your body boosts endorphins (your natural “happy hormones”) and helps release stress hormones like cortisol. Any activity helps improve your mood and reduce your stress. Remember Gary Vaynerchuk's motto, “One is better than zero”. And that pretty much applies to anything. A little movement beats none.
Make Sure That You’re Setting Boundaries: Your time and energy are precious. Your mental health and emotional wellbeing matter. If you’ve been asking yourself, “How can I say no without feeling guilty?”; here’s your reminder: you’re allowed to say no. Get rid of this idea of FOMO. When you’re surrounded by good people you’re never going to miss out. They’ll make sure you’re still part of the moments that actually matter.
There’s no rule that says you have to attend parties you’re invited to. You need recharge time. You need quiet. You need space for yourself and that not only okay, that’s necessary. When you don’t set boundaries around what you need to stay sane this season, the next couple of months can easily turn into a cycle of pleasing everyone but yourself. And that’s when stress and overwhelm creeps in. Boundaries protect you from burnout, and if someone doesn't respect them? That’s their issue to navigate, not yours.
Because here’s the truth: if you’re not taking care of yourself, you won’t have the energy to show up for the people you love. Neglecting your own wellbeing only leads to exhaustion, resentment, and feeling drained during what should be a meaningful season. So this year, put real emphasis on your needs. Protect your peace. Honor your limits. Decline what doesn’t serve you. Don’t let yourself fall apart trying to hold everything together for everyone else.
I want you to wake up on the first day of January feeling aligned, energized, and ready to level up and not feeling like you have to start over because you let your physical and emotional wellbeing fall apart.
Cheers to a healthier, happier, more grounded you this season!
~Lori
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