Activity and Stress during the Holidays

• Try to avoid sitting the whole day. Maybe suggest a physically active game to play, dance, or at least move away from the food and stand while socializing.
• Offer to get up and get things when they are needed.
• When socializing with friends, consider going for walks or outdoor activities like skating and cross-country skiing instead of meeting in coffee shops and for meals.
• Manage your stress. If you need a break from people or things get tense, go for a walk or make an excuse to leave the room for a bit and do some deep breathing or call someone to let off the pressure.
• Keep up your exercise, keep up with going outside every day and count your blessings or try to maintain an attitude of gratitude to help your mood.
• Keep up meditation or other stress reduction activities.
  • If you’re not in the habit of things like this, learn about them and add them if you’re expecting this to be a stressful season for you.
• Make time and space for yourself for relaxation or alone time and remember to take care of your own needs.
  • If afterword, you feel you didn’t do your best, don’t beat yourself up over it. It’s only one day and don’t make that your excuse to keep going with unhealthy behavior. One day won’t usually ruin your health if you overdid it. It’s when multiple days add up that you can get into problems. Try to let go of the past and do the best you can at any given time. Planning ahead can really help.

Remember the real reasons for the holiday instead of focusing on food. Figure out ways to have fun other than just with food and alcohol. Focus on family and friends or on spiritual thoughts like helping others, gratitude, peace, and love.