Winter Survival Guide: Health & Wellness Edition
During the holiday season, things can become overwhelming. It’s important to have a plan, perhaps even a survival guide.
“Mind. Body. Soul. These are the three things self-care is all about.”
It’s always important, but caring for yourself is paramount during this time of the year. Things (well… people, parties, work, schedules, to-do lists, etc.) can become overwhelming. It’s important to have a plan, perhaps even a SURVIVAL GUIDE! That’s what I hope to help you with here. Read on for some simple tips, in no particular order!
Plan Ahead
In addition to our regularly scheduled busy days, the holidays have the tendency to add a level of hectic energy and activity. Hopefully, you have been powering through well, thus far. Still, it’s important to know that planning ahead will help in achieving clarity, focus, and efficiency. It will also allow you to set the tone of what you’re doing, where you’re going, and who’ll you will interact with (& in what capacity). Important stuff! You are in charge of your managing your own experience. Ask questions, research, prepare in whatever manner you deem necessary to enjoy yourself to the best of your ability.
Say No (when needed)
This is a big one… but it can also be a tough one. Saying “no” isn’t always comfortable, for the person saying it nor for the person hearing it. It’s real and necessary. Sometimes the best approach is a straightforward but kind “no”. You might say something like, “Thank you for thinking of me, but I’m going to pass.” Being clear & kind avoids confusion and minimizes hurt feelings. Remember, you don’t have to do it all, give yourself permission to rest even if that means saying no to a “fun” event, an “annual” event, or even a friend’s event. True friends and loved ones will understand and want the best for you even if it means you can’t do all the things.
Stay Active
Find ways to keep moving. Consider a holiday 5K or 10K during the winter season, perhaps even simple neighborhood walks. Not only can physical activity be good for your body, it’s also good for your mental health and wellness during this season. If you really want to get active, try something you haven’t done before: do a rotation of squats, calf raises, and leg lifts while you’re standing in the kitchen preparing for guests to arrive. If that doesn’t work for you, hop up and take a brisk walk around the house or a bit of stair climbing.
Prioritize Sleep
In my opinion, this is one of the best ways that you can take care of yourself during this season and always. In years past, it’s been a difficult feat for me but as time goes on, I’m realizing the importance of a good night’s sleep for my mind and body. One of the most beneficial sleep hygiene tips is creating a bedtime routine for yourself. Start winding down as bedtime approaches, create the appropriate ambience in the room (relaxing & cool temperature), minimize work/household tasks, and shut down your electronics. Yep… even reading on your phone at bedtime can pose an issue with blue light exposure causing eye strain. And one of the most valuable pieces of advice I’ve been given is to get out of bed if you find yourself tossing and turning after more than thirty minutes to an hour. When you get up, take yourself out of the bedroom and do a lowkey, calming activity. Those activities may include reading a physical book or light stretching, for example.
Practice Mindful Eating
Biggest reminder: Enjoy yourself! During this time of the year, it’s important to find joy wherever you can. For a lot of us, we find comfort in delicious food. With that being said, it’s important to stay mindful and practice portion control when enjoying your meals. I mean, don’t pass up on the dessert, but make sure it’s worth your time. For example, don’t grab a handful of preservative-filled, store-bought cookies, topped with bitter frosting… take the time to make homemade cookies (and memories). With homemade food, you are in control and able to select better-for-you ingredients that still make a delicious treat. Create a new recipe with healthier ingredients or adjust one of your longtime favorite recipes with healthier ingredients. This tip applies to savory side dishes and treats to satisfy your sweet tooth, as well.
I hope one of the tips listed in this Holiday Survival Guide proves to be helpful for you. Is there anything I left out that works well for you? I’d love to hear from you!
5 (Doable) Tips for Improving Productivity
No matter what you have going on, the changing of seasons is a good time to evaluate yourself in regard to productivity.
“If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you’ll never get it done.”
We are quickly moving towards the start of Summer! That can mean a few of things… either we have a bit more time on our hands, because the kids are out of school; we become busier by taking on additional work; we hit the road and begin to travel more; or we take some personal time to rest and recharge… just to name a few possibilities.
No matter what you have going on, the changing of seasons is a good time to evaluate yourself in regard to productivity.
Read on to check out ways we stay on track moving forward, no matter what our goals may be. As with any new idea, plan, or task, the key is simply to START!
Establish a morning routine
When we get our morning off to the right start, we are poised for our own personal success, whatever that success may look like for each of us. Creating a proper morning routine is a great way to jumpstart us into thinking more intentionally about today and tomorrow. It will be important to begin the process with a good, restful night’s sleep. That sleep will encourage and assist you with waking up refreshed and ready to take on whatever the day may bring.
Prioritize your day:
Start each day by identifying the most important tasks that need to be completed. This focus will allow you to power through the day with intention leading to increased productivity. Once you’ve completed the high-priority tasks, feel free to move on to those items with lower priority that followed. Remember, don’t stress… whatever doesn’t get finished today will surely be waiting for you tomorrow.
Manage multitasking:
I used to thrive on having the ability to multitask… eventually, I learned better. While multitasking is sometimes necessary, it isn’t always the most effective way to complete our work. Try focusing on one task at a time for 30 minutes, instead of multitasking. This technique can improve concentration, improve the quality of work, and reduce the time taken to complete tasks by minimizing distractions.
Meal prep:
We’ve got to eat, right? And we’ve got to eat right! Meal prepping allows us the opportunity to slow down, plan, and prep meals that meet our needs and even the needs of our household. This planning allows for budget consideration, along with choosing healthier food options. Additional food/nutrition productivity tips include batch cooking, portion control, shopping with a prepared grocery list, and proper utilization of leftovers to minimize waste.
Declutter your space:
Now is the perfect time to wrap up your spring cleaning! Consider choosing a specific area to organize and declutter each week, whether it’s your car, under the bed, or a closet. As you work through your space, create piles to designate the items as: Keep, Trash, Donate, or even Sell! A tidy space has the ability to reduce stress, improve focus, and create a more peaceful environment for productivity.