6 Ways to Have a Happy & Healthy Holidays from the Inside & Out

Florida Coast Magazine – Holiday 2019 – The holiday season has arrived! While it’s meant to be the time of year we come together and celebrate with true joy, reality might have something else in store for us. Do feelings of frustration, when it comes to staying healthy and happy, plague your holidays? Maybe the temptation of food and drink at a holiday gathering leaves you feeling disgusted with your decisions. Or, perhaps, the hustle and bustle of holiday travel, shopping, and event planning leaves you a little more “Grinch-y” than you’d like. Regardless, you have more control than you think, and there are ways to stress-less and prioritize to your personal health and happiness, even during the holiday season.

1. TRAVEL SMARTER NOT HARDER The holiday months are accompanied by lots of travel and for many that can result in less-than-ideal food, fitness, and well-being situations. For example, finding fresh, wholesome food, either in an airport, onboard a flight, or while on a road trip to visit Grandma can be tough and time-consuming. However, you can beat the system with some preparation and planning.
   
   Rather than reacting to challenges as they come up or focusing on what’s out of your control, practice this mindset shift—First, take a deep, relaxed breath. Then, ask yourself: “What CAN I do to support my health and happiness in this situation?”
   
   One way to empower your health is by packing a cooler or mini backpack with healthy and filling snacks that will keep you satiated until you can get more supplies on your trip. A homemade trail mix of goji berries, coconut, and raw, mixed nuts like almonds, walnuts, and cashews will provide healthy fats, protein, and some carbs to give you lasting energy while feeling full. (Note: most security checkpoints at the airport will allow you to bring through solid foods. Leave the liquid snacks at home.) You can also research restaurant menus, grocery stores, gyms, and yoga studio options surrounding where you’ll be staying. That way, you can conjure up meal ideas and plan your workout before you even get there.
   
   
2. WASH AWAY WORRIES Water comprises 70% of the human body, and even mild dehydration can alter a person's mood, energy level, and ability to think clearly. Drinking lots of water not only hydrates you, but it mitigates hunger, energizes cells, removes toxins, and maintains the proper functioning of all bodily systems. Instead of getting frustrated when you overindulge on holiday treats and/or cocktails, apply this mindset shift—Acknowledge your food and drink choices for what they are, without judgment. Then, choose to make it a priority to add more water to your day to help your body rid itself of anything that doesn’t feel good. Yes, do this, even (especially) when it’s not convenient. Having a portable, refillable water bottle handy at all times is a reminder to stay hydrated, and can be refilled just about anywhere.
   
   
3. CHOOSE TO CHILL Traveling during the holidays can be exhausting, mentally and physically. Whether it’s a delayed flight, traffic jams, or being angry about not getting the latest and greatest holiday toy, rather than getting caught up in the reactivity of the moment, try this mindset shift—Become aware of the feelings you’re experiencing when things come up, and recognize your brain and body’s immediate reaction to the situation, such as what thoughts occur, and what sensations happen in your physical body (i.e. heart racing, palms sweating, stomach churning). Realize that staying in a stressful state will not serve you positively. Being aware about how you’re feeling, and consciously choosing to respond rather than react instinctively, can calm your nervous system almost immediately (Refer to 4 Also). Be sure to balance the good times with friends and family with plenty of rest, relaxation, and recovery. You’ll feel better and more empowered to stick to healthy choices when you feel restored and re-energized by taking time for yourself.
   
   
4. BE PRESENT It’s easy to get caught up in all the “to-do’s” with the holidays, rush through our days, and lose our daily routines. It can be overwhelming and taxing on our brains and bodies to be constantly on-the-go. If you identify with this m.o., I invite you to leverage this mindset shift—Consciously connect to the present moment two to three times each day. By intentionally pausing, breathing, and connecting to where you are, what your body is experiencing and how you feel (physically and emotionally) in the moment, will help your brain and body slow down and feel more connected. Set a timer or create a calendar event if you need to.
   
   
5. SET YOUR INTENTIONS Everything mentioned—from deciding to drink water to ensuring you make time and put forth the effort to rest and be present—will happen if you think about it ahead of time and set your intention to commit to being healthy and happy during the holidays. If you’ve always believed feelings of stress during the holidays are inevitable, try this mindset shift—Visualize your day set up for success before it happens. At the start of each day, ask yourself: “How am I creating a day full of hydration, rest, presence, and intention?” This helps you remain more in control because it cognitively primes your brain to seek solutions in order to create your visualized outcome rather than automatically reacting to circumstances as they happen.
   
   
6. HOLD YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE When you're in the midst of the holiday hustle, you might find yourself creating more excuses about why you “don’t have time” to work out or meal prep, let alone any of these steps. Instead, try this mindset shift—Every time an excuse or negative thought pattern comes up, see it as an opportunity for growth and a way to hold yourself accountable when it comes to really changing things up this year! In those moments, challenge your brain to be creative and think of fun ways to integrate these new states of being into the holidays. For example, when out shopping for holiday gifts, look for options to get a little more exercise; park the car a good walking distance from the mall, take the stairs, and walk with a little pep in your step to get your blood flowing. Start a 30-day Gratitude Challenge with your kids, giving thanks for everything that’s happened in 2019. Maybe host a friendly family competition to see who can move their bodies the most over the course of your time together. There’s plenty of wearable technologies and apps to even track and compare your successes.

By putting yourself first, you’re able to become a source of more authentic joy from within. Choosing to take on these changes might even result in a ripple effect outward, affecting your surroundings and the people you’re spending time with too.  

Connect with Michelle: Instagram: @rewire_and_inspire / www.rewireandinspire.com