7 Tips to Combat Holiday Stress and Stress Eating
Christmas is almost upon us! This is an incredibly fun and joyful time of year, but it can also be stressful. Preparations, extended family, and maybe even some high tensions can turn what should be a fun time into a stressful one. Add to that the big meals, the sugary foods, and time away from your regular exercise routine, and you could have a recipe for disaster!
At Performance Inspired, we want to help you have a great holiday—and that means staying both physically and mentally healthy. So we have seven great ideas for how to reduce your stress and stress eating and enjoy the family time.
- Keep it light
This applies to both food and conversation. Chances are, you may be seeing family or friends you haven’t seen in several months or even years. Focus on their well-being. Catch up on how they are doing. If there are past hurts or differences in beliefs or philosophies, try to set them aside and just help the person feel valued as a part of your family. You can also keep the snacking light by eating small portions, not overindulging, and filling your plate with more fruits and vegetables than junk.
- Partake in some friendly competition
Games of all types are more fun with a greater number of people. Get outside and enjoy some fresh air and exercise with a game of flag football or basketball. If the weather is bad, pull out a deck of cards or some board games. These games will get you all laughing, foster camaraderie, and keep the mood light.
- Cook together
Creating something delicious or even unique in the kitchen will bring you and your family members together and engender cooperation, and it will give you something simple and fun to talk about.
- Moderate the use of alcohol
We all know that one person who loses his filter with too much alcohol. Don’t be that person. Enjoy your drinks, but alternate with water, and make sure you eat so you don’t become inebriated. If you start to feel stressed and want to reach for another beer or glass of wine, take a few minutes to go to another room to decompress or seek your partner or other cherished family member. Tell them you need a few minutes of their time to get you back into the holiday spirit.
- Enjoy music or TV together
Let everyone choose their favorite Christmas movie, musical, or old holiday show, then pop some popcorn or fix a healthy snack and watch them together. These shows lighten the mood, bring back memories and smiles, and create unity among everyone watching.
- Make healthy snacks
Enjoy the desserts and meals that are special holiday treats, but don’t let them derail the work you have done all year. Fill the majority of your day with vegetables, fruits, and whole grain breads, and leave the indulging for just a few meals.
- Take some time for yourself
For the sake of your mental health, it may be helpful to just get outside, spend some time alone, and take a walk. Doing this first thing in the morning will start your day off well, give you some exercise, and set a good tone for the day.
Christmas is a great time of year to enjoy family and friends. Make it a time you will truly enjoy by keeping it light and fun and by making healthy choices so that you aren’t shocked the next time you step on the scale and so you end the weekend with some great memories.
