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The good news…the Holiday season is half over. The bad news…there are still 2 weeks left in December. Not trying to be a Scrooge, but come on, I know this time of year is stressful for nearly everyone. Naturally, I turn to exercise as a way to manage stress, but finding time for my usual workouts is tricky this time of year. When my stress level sours and I don’t have time for a lengthy routine, or any time at all for exercise, I turn to these four things to help me focus on my physical, mental, and emotional health:
1. Don’t neglect yourself. It is really easy to get caught up in what everyone else needs during this busy season, and totally shove aside what you need. It is A-Okay to be a tad selfish…especially during the month of December! Schedule a massage, pedicure, or whatever helps you to relax. Keeping your stress levels in check will also help keep your hormone levels in check (read: high stress = high cortisol = weight gain!) Why give stress a chance to widen your waistline? Chill.
2. Get your ZZZZZZZZ’s. This kind of goes hand-in-hand with #1. I know when I’m sleep deprived, I tend to catch colds, feel run down, my workouts suffer, I’m short tempered, yada yada. Seven to eight hours is what the experts recommend. I concur. Now off to bed you go!
3. Don’t deprive yourself of your favorite things. This is the one time of year when cookies are abundant and there is a treat to be had around every corner. Have a nibble or two, but practice some discipline too. For every 2-3 cookies you eat, tack on another 30 minutes of cardio to work it off. Given that time is at a premium right now, I suggest 1 cookie, then call it a day.
4. Connect with the people you love. When we get super busy, it is easy to forget about the people in our lives that make each day special. Spend some time with close friends and family, be in the moment with them and stop fretting about your endless “to do” list. In the end, does it really matter if each present is wrapped perfectly Martha Stewart-style, or if cookies are frosted like works of art?
Happy Holidays!