Holiday Survival Guide

There’s no denying it, no matter how much denial we have - the holidays are here. We’ve developed a 5-step process to surviving the holidays, and we hope that it helps you. Let’s end this decade on a high note, with positive momentum, nourished bellies*, and gratitude in our hearts. *See below about Hawaiian rolls. 

Part 1: Self-care.

Self-care is non-negotiable. That's the thing that you have to do.
- Jonathan Van Ness

As much as we want to care for and nurture family and friends during the holiday season, shower them with love, food, gifts, and company, we cannot do a good job if we don’t take care of ourselves first. 

Self-care includes sleep, eating healthy, reducing stress, exercise, joy, love, gratitude - and did we mention sleep? SLEEP! 

Part 2: It’s ok to rest.

Sales here, sales there. Make the food. Guest coming over. Do this - plan that - go there now. *whew* that’s rough. All that crap can wait. It’s ok to rest. It’s ok to go to sleep early, sleep well. It’s ok to take a nap. Take a few minutes. Turn the light off. Rest your head on the pillow. Close your eyes. It’s ok to rest. 

Part 3: Snack on healthy treats.

Oh the mighty menu includes turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, Hawaiian rolls (you know you love those sweet pillows of carbohydrates), pumpkin pie...and oh the Christmas cookies right around the corner - The menu that destroys fitness progress and creates sleep disturbance through imbalanced nutrients and poor digestion. Rather than being a complete buzz kill and say, “Stay away from that,” we say, just add healthy treats: Fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts, water - something that tells your body “I still love you, but those Hawaiian rolls need to be in my belly.” 

Part 4: It’s ok to rest.

How friendly are you when you’re stressed out? Sleep is one of the best things you can do for yourself and the people around you. See that sunny spot on the couch? Grab your pillow from the bed and place it right there. Curl up in that sunny spot. Turn your phone off. Nobody needs you right now. It’s ok to rest. 

Part 5: De-stress through breathing.

If resting is adding too much stress (because you can’t rest), take a deep breath. Inhale deeply. Exhale completely, slowly. Inhale again, deeply, and hold for a count of 4. Exhale completely, slowly, and hold for a count of 4. Repeat 3 more times for a total of 4 cycles. How do you feel now?