General Information - Temptations Abound
During the Holiday Season we are challenged in four ways that have consequences for our Body as we engage the world around us – Calendar, Carbs, and Cash.
Calendar – It is very easy to become over-booked during the holidays. In addition to our routine activities of work etc. we also have the added activities of shopping, socializing, decorating, and preparing for family. Many who work also must include year-end responsibilities. These added items on your calendar/to-do list complicate our self-care. Do not delegate any portion of your calendar to someone else, keep control of our schedule and do not be afraid to say “No!”
Carbs – It is very easy to snack our way through the holidays. Carbohydrate and fat-laced goodies are available 24/7. Overeating Carbs can lead to lethargy and, in some people, depression-like symptoms. Enjoy the season but enjoy some fresh fruit or other diet friendly carbs. Enjoy carb free treats like jerky or soy snacks. Limit your carbs to a safe level. It is also important to watch how many of your carbs come out of a bottle. Alcohol can be a killer during the holidays. Enjoy all your carbs in moderation.
Cash – A final area of temptation is to overspend on Christmas. It feels good to give. Buying presents can be a very enjoyable activity. This is especially true when we are buying for our children or grand-children. Buy gifts out of a sense of “want to” rather than “ought to.” Allow yourself the joy of giving by avoiding the duty of giving. And, consider making rather than buying a gift. Make gift giving a time to celebrate your relationship rather than an obligation to completed.
By watching our temptations to over-schedule, over eat, and over spend we will take care of how we physically enjoy this holiday season.
Calendar – It is very easy to become over-booked during the holidays. In addition to our routine activities of work etc. we also have the added activities of shopping, socializing, decorating, and preparing for family. Many who work also must include year-end responsibilities. These added items on your calendar/to-do list complicate our self-care. Do not delegate any portion of your calendar to someone else, keep control of our schedule and do not be afraid to say “No!”
Carbs – It is very easy to snack our way through the holidays. Carbohydrate and fat-laced goodies are available 24/7. Overeating Carbs can lead to lethargy and, in some people, depression-like symptoms. Enjoy the season but enjoy some fresh fruit or other diet friendly carbs. Enjoy carb free treats like jerky or soy snacks. Limit your carbs to a safe level. It is also important to watch how many of your carbs come out of a bottle. Alcohol can be a killer during the holidays. Enjoy all your carbs in moderation.
Cash – A final area of temptation is to overspend on Christmas. It feels good to give. Buying presents can be a very enjoyable activity. This is especially true when we are buying for our children or grand-children. Buy gifts out of a sense of “want to” rather than “ought to.” Allow yourself the joy of giving by avoiding the duty of giving. And, consider making rather than buying a gift. Make gift giving a time to celebrate your relationship rather than an obligation to completed.
By watching our temptations to over-schedule, over eat, and over spend we will take care of how we physically enjoy this holiday season.
Tip for the Week
Our tip for Self-Care of the body in holidays is a word very few people like, budgeting. Many see a budget as an oppressive tool, something that limits what we do. But a budget is a way of taking control of our resources and using them in ways that we choose. Far from limiting our freedom, it gives us room to pursue our dreams. A budget allows us to Prioritize, Simplify, and Stay Focused on our goals.
Look at your calendar. Whenever I scribble in whatever I want, whenever I want, I usually run out of days for something I really wanted to do. The same thing happens with a financial budget. Without a plan that considers my income and my priorities, I generally run out of money before I run out of month. A budget gives us the option to make choices and that measure of control allows us to let go of a great deal of holiday anxiety. (It doesn’t do much for the anxiety that grows out of wanting more than we can afford in time or money. That is where lowering expectations comes in.)
Sit down and look at your calendar, plans for holiday eating, and your finances. What are the things you want? Prioritize them and plan on the items that are higher priority. Simplify your lists by setting aside those that are not very high on your priorities. And then, as you go through the next few weeks stay focused on your plan. Make changes only when those changes are in tune with your priorities. Keep the impulse calendaring, eating, and shopping to a minimum.
Self-care opens your world to greater control and freedom to choose. Give yourself the gift of less stress and more control this holiday season.
Look at your calendar. Whenever I scribble in whatever I want, whenever I want, I usually run out of days for something I really wanted to do. The same thing happens with a financial budget. Without a plan that considers my income and my priorities, I generally run out of money before I run out of month. A budget gives us the option to make choices and that measure of control allows us to let go of a great deal of holiday anxiety. (It doesn’t do much for the anxiety that grows out of wanting more than we can afford in time or money. That is where lowering expectations comes in.)
Sit down and look at your calendar, plans for holiday eating, and your finances. What are the things you want? Prioritize them and plan on the items that are higher priority. Simplify your lists by setting aside those that are not very high on your priorities. And then, as you go through the next few weeks stay focused on your plan. Make changes only when those changes are in tune with your priorities. Keep the impulse calendaring, eating, and shopping to a minimum.
Self-care opens your world to greater control and freedom to choose. Give yourself the gift of less stress and more control this holiday season.
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