Surviving the Holiday Season

In order to do more than just survive through the holiday season, there are some things that you need to pay attention to so that you can reduce stress and get through the season without a frenzied flurry. Simply put: Expectations, Self-Care, Diet, Exercise and Traditions. All of these things can affect your stress level and some may be harder than others to control. We are in the business of giving, but we need to make sure that we care well for ourselves so that we may care exceptionally well for our clients.

Why should you eat healthy when you have all of the decadent smells and flavors that pass your nose and lips? For obvious reasons of course! Past the nose and through the lips lands more pounds upon your hips (or tummy, or wherever it finds itself). Eating a healthy diet that gives you most of your calories from vegetables, fruits, grains, and other delicious low-fat ingredients is important because if you eat better, you feel better. Plain and simple, you have more energy, you look better and, consequently, your self-esteem improves and doesn't factor into the winter blues.

The higher your self-esteem, the more confident and successful you are. Don't try to diet during the holidays, just be reasonable about what you do eat and enjoy and make sure to balance it with exercise of some kind.

Exercising regularly helps to reduce stress naturally and can also help you control weight. This can be a very difficult part of the winter months in some parts of the US (and the world). Cold, rain, snow, darkness - whatever the case may be, it may not be possible to do as much exercise as you would like. Try incorporating exercise into your work day. Take the stairs, walk a few laps around the office, do wall push-ups, stretch, or walk outside if weather permits. Borrowing from my friends at Nike "Just do it™" - well, just do something! Get up and move - you'll feel better.

Keeping your holiday expectations reasonable and taking care of yourself during this season is so important. You can't make the holidays (or any day) perfect - people get sick, recipes don't always turn out as expected and family members don't always get along. Worse, coworkers aren't always kind to each other and the new work program may not make everyone happy. You'll be healthier and happier if you keep your expectations reasonable. It doesn't have to be perfect, Martha! Not the party, your children, the food or the decorations on your home.

The single most important aspect of creating holiday health and happiness is taking care of your physical and mental health and that is the perfection to shoot for. Start now so you are already in the rhythm when the holiday season arrives. That includes the number of commitments you make. You don't have to host the holiday party at your home, nor do you have to attend every event or answer your cell phone just because it is ringing. Won't it be nice to rid yourself of the guilt and stress of over-commitment and no follow though?

Finally, make time for your family, friends and the time-honored traditions that you love. Newsflash: You only have one life. So, spend it doing things you love with people you love and not doing things like trying to change people or revisiting injustices from years past. Focus on sharing memories and laughter and make time for personal reflection. Honor important people in your life who have passed on and create new traditions with the current people in your life.

Your imagination is the only thing limiting what traditions are established within your organization. No matter what you celebrate, these tips will make the opportunities happier, healthier, and more fun.