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Slow Down this Holiday Season

By Beth Hubrich, RD, CaloriesCount Contributor

In my faith, the season before Christmas (known as Advent) is about slowing down, reflecting and patiently awaiting the arrival of Christmas.  And while I know I should slow down, somehow I find this process completely counterintuitive to the craziness going on around me: putting up decorations, homemade gifts for teachers and neighbors, presents for the children and immediate family, sending 100+ holiday cards, hosting Christmas parties, making cookies for children’s parties, trying to volunteer for the many needs in our community, etc.  (My community was hit especially hard this year with an F4 tornado pummeling our city in late April. Many people were left homeless and the needs are greater than ever).

All of this sometimes feels overwhelming and in many ways takes the joy out the season.  In fact, I actually found myself complaining about a service project to which I committed – saying that during the holiday season, I just don’t have time for this kind of “stuff.”  Shame on me. There is no other time when volunteering and helping others should be more mindful and ever present.

And on top of all this, if you are like me, eating healthy and exercising seems to fall to the bottom of the list.  But with a little one counting on me for all of his or her nutrients (and two others counting on me to get them where they need to be and make this season beautiful, bright and merry), I know it is so important to eat healthy and take good care of myself.  So, here’s a list of things to help reduce stress and keep you on track.  (Trust me, I’m writing this for myself as much as I am to help others).
  • Say no: I know you want to do everything, but the bottom line is that you are only one person and there is only so much of you to go around.  Choose those items that are the most important and let the other stuff go.  I have decided that this has to be the case with volunteering, too.  We pick two or three groups/charities with which we want to be involved and stick to that.
  • Make exercise a priority: I find that if it is not the first thing I do during the day, it will never get done.  In this busy holiday season, something always comes up.  And, I find that if I do exercise first thing, I am much more likely to get more accomplished.
  • Take the easy way out: That’s right – my sugar cookies are NOT going to be from scratch this year.  Although I would like to claim that I can be just like Martha Stewart and make everything happen and look beautiful, I do not have a “staff” of 50+ at my fingertips.  And, the bottom line is that my 5 year old does not care if they are store bought or made from scratch.  She just wants to decorate them.  And, all I really want is to see her smile, hear her laugh and make memories.  Twenty five years from now, she will only remember the good time we had together – not whether the cookies were made from scratch.
  • Make healthier eating easy: Keep ready to eat (and washed) fruits and veggies on hand.  Find snacks that are portable and easy to eat (like reduced-calorie yogurt).  If  it’s easy to reach, you’ll be less likely to “cheat” and grab a cookie, brownie or other dessert.
Merry Christmas and best wishes for a joyful holiday season and New Year.  Here’s to slowing down and enjoying quality time with your loved ones!  As always, let me know if you have any tips for stress reduction.  I can always use less stress in my life.
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