Four Tips for a Stress Free Holiday
It’s here. We’re officially heading into one of the busiest times of the year!
But a little bit of effort upfront will help you cruise through the holidays without the stress.
When life gets hectic, one of the first things to drop off our to-do lists is our self-care routine. Which is ironic, since taking a little time for yourself each day will help you do everything else better.
Here are some tips to stay ahead of the game:
Make a simple meal plan each week during the holidays, so you can avoid too many on-the-go meals and don’t fill up on cookies.
What are some easy meals you can throw together at the last minute? Our IWO team’s go-to’s are turkey burgers and veggies, scrambled eggs (yes, even for dinner!) and sweet potato, pre-roasted veggies with some grilled chicken.
Search “sheet pan recipes” on Google if you want to find some quick and easy meals that won’t take a lot of time!
2. Don’t compromise on your exercise time. Keep your immune system happy and get in at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise (like a brisk walk) most days of the week.
One study found that people who walked for a half-hour every day for a year had 50% fewer colds than those who didn’t. That’s because regular walking leads to having more infection-fighting white blood cells. Make sure you’re at your best with family and friends this season versus on the couch surrounded by tissues this season by making time for exercise!
3. Make a list (or two!). If you have a hectic holiday schedule, start planning NOW so you can do as much ahead of time as possible. Running around at the last minute trying to get everything done is the absolute worst!
Put together a checklist of everything you have to do, and then do it … (or even better, delegate it!).
4. Relax! Make time for family and friends, and enjoying old traditions or making new ones.
Let go of expectations of how you think things “should” go, and enjoy them as they are! It’s often the things that happen out of the ordinary that we look back on with a smile.
If you’re going to be alone or working over the holidays, make time to mark the occasion! Watch a movie, eat a special meal, or treat yourself to a spa session.
