Tis the season! The season for parties, shopping, decorating, celebrating, cocktails, cookies, gift giving, traveling as well as trying to balance everything else in your life…work, family, friends and oh yeah…health and fitness. I have definitely sensed the stress and pressure of the holiday season with my clients, friends and even with myself. The demand on our time, the disappointment of things not living up to our expectations, comparing ourselves on social media, missing workouts, indulging in too many treats, drinking too much, staying up late and not practicing good self care can lead to feelings of loneliness, depression, stress, lethargy and weight gain.
Thanksgiving weekend, I decided to make a list of all the things I could do to feel more balanced, energized and focused through the holidays. I wanted to be able to truly embrace and enjoy all the wonderful things about this time of year and not let myself get overwhelmed and feel stressed or sad. I wanted to keep a positive perspective and attitude and practice self care and love during this crazy busy time. I wanted to truly embody all BbE is about…living fit, eating healthy and being inspired!
Here is what I came up with…xo
6 WAYS TO FEEL MORE BALANCED, ENERGIZED & FOCUSED THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
1. Begin with a grateful heart…
Shift the focus away from what is missing in your life or the struggles you are having and instead appreciate everything wonderful, beautiful and amazing in your world. Take time everyday to be grateful for everything positive about your life. It truly makes a difference in your mood, your energy and the way you interact with those around you. We all have struggles, issues and areas in our life where we feel unfulfilled, dissatisfied and disappointed. Rather than letting your mind dwell on the negative, focus on all you have to be grateful for. Make a daily list of 5 things you appreciate, send someone a text and tell them how grateful you are for them or my favorite…find 10 minutes, a quiet space, breathe and meditate on all the things in your life that fill your heart with joy, peace and love.
2. Be in the moment…
We are living in a time of true distraction. Filling our days with multi-tasking, constant reminders, beeps and notifications from our cell phones, being over-scheduled and trying to squeeze more in than is humanly possible has left us depleted, distracted and overwhelmed. How do we get a handle on it, reconnect and live in the moment? Limiting social media to only a few times a week or only during certain times of the day can make a big difference. I have started putting my phone on airplane mode when I want to focus on work or whatever I am doing. Losing those technology distractions does make a difference. Truly, truly, unplug, focus and dial in to what is going on around you. Be mindful and aware. Listen, speak, eat, workout, work and live in the moment. You really will get more accomplished, feel more connected, organized and focused.
3. Stay fit…
You knew this was coming! But, honestly…nothing compares to working out when it comes to relieving stress and boosting energy. Get in as much of the sweaty, heart pumping, endorphin releasing, muscle working good stuff as you can! Schedule your workouts in your calendar and make them happen! Do whatever you can to stay active and fit. If you normally do an hour of cardio, but can only squeeze 30 minutes in; get those 30 minutes in and make them amazing! Take advantage of any free time you have and do a little extra to make up for workouts you might possibly miss. Sign up for some group fitness classes or get scheduled with a trainer. Having an appointment and walking into a session or class knowing someone else is going to make sure you get a challenging workout, definitely keeps you accountable and pushes your fitness!
4. Sleep it off…
Being physically tired and not getting enough sleep is one of the worst things you can do for you body, mind and spirit. Your body needs sleep to repair, regenerate and be ready to take on the next day. Lack of sleep not only makes you cranky, groggy and irritable, it can also increase your appetite and decrease your metabolism. Be sure you are getting at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night and taking care of that beautiful body. Your mind also needs a chance to shut down, recharge and relax. Getting enough sleep allows you to wake up refreshed, with a clear mind, energized and feeling positive! Shut down work, picking up the house and surfing social media early enough so you can unwind and take good care of yourself with plenty of sleep and downtime.
5. Feed your body…
The food and nutrients you put in your body can have a huge impact on your energy and mood. Be conscious of what you are indulging in and how it makes you feel. Having too many cocktails will not only wreak havoc with a hangover, it also disrupts your sleep, zaps your energy, depresses your mood and depletes your body of vitamins and minerals. Drinking more water and less alcohol will definitely keep you and the season merry and bright! Too much sugar can leave you feeling fatigued and nauseous. Filling your plate with rich, fatty foods can upset your stomach, increase your weight and decrease the efficiency of your muscles. You can enjoy the holidays and have fun at all of your events and celebrations and still feed your body healthy, nutrient rich foods. Find the veggies, lean protein and delicious foods that leave you feeling satisfied and energized versus tired and heavy. Only the best stuff for your beautiful body!
6. Nourish your soul…
Finally…practice amazing self care and love and indulge in the things that nourish your soul. Surround yourself with positive, encouraging, motivating people. Spend your time and energy doing what makes you feel inspired, happy and alive. When you are around your favorite people and doing what nourishes your soul, you can’t help but smile, laugh and glow! Find the things that speak to you, soothe your mind and feel authentic. It can be anything…reading a book, meeting a friend for coffee, taking a bath, getting a massage, going to yoga, listening to music, looking at art or cooking a fabulous, healthy meal. You can even take it a step further and share your strengths. Be generous and share your time and energy with those around you. Volunteer for a cause that touches your heart, take time to listen to a friend, do something helpful or positive for someone else or just be there for someone who needs you. Sharing your amazing-ness will feed your soul with even more positive energy. Pamper yourself, indulge in what you love and take time to be around those who build you up and make you feel lively, blessed and blissful!
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