Winter cheer, part II
Our blog continues with two more mindset shifts to consider for a more cheerful winter. How can you address the the aftermath of overindulgence and deal with the overwhelm of holiday stress?
Overindulging
Instead of laying around thinking, “Dang it, I ate and drank too much!”, try a mindset shift.
MINDSET SHIFT: I have to move it, move it!
Some light physical activity could be the fix. James Clear in his book Atomic Habits says, “Show up on the hard days.” For me, winter = hard days. Expect hard days as you return to healthy lifestyle habits after a short or extended time of overindulgence. Showing up in small ways builds momentum.
Walk: It’s simple, it’s free, it’s everywhere, and lowers blood sugar and blood pressure while improving mood. It also aids in digestion!
Ride: Out or inside (is that a Peloton under those coats?) Put on the headphones and ride into 80’s alternative bliss.
Drink: Stay well hydrated with H20 all day long.
Eat: Get back to healthy eating habits right away, don’t skip meals or undereat to try to balance out the overabundance of calories you enjoyed the day before.
If you’re doing okay with food choices this holiday season, may we suggest you try a mindset shift around stress. The holiday season is temporary but these practices stand the test of time.
Busy and stressed out
When you’ve had it up to here with everything and want to flop on the couch and distract your cares away (hello, Instagram), wait… try something different.
MINDSET SHIFT: Consider the advice of Traditional Chinese Medicine - slow down, rest, go inward.
Bed bliss: 12 simple yoga poses you can do in bed
Carve out “me time”: read, meditate, nap, bubble bath.
Insist on stillness: Find a quiet place to grab a nap.
Take a break: Pretend you’re on vacation with a day of no chores.
Get outside: Being in nature reduces stress.
Use the Irish exit: Leave parties early and go to bed.
Don AirPods: Find a spa playlist or a meditation app.
Get a light box: Whether you struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder or you just need more light in your winter, go get it!
Practice makes perfect - by the time 2025 arrives you’ll be unscathed by stress and thankful you resisted the extra hit of egg nog. Cheers!
Author: Shannon Svikhart, RDN