So we’re almost 2 weeks into November and I’ve gotten into a good routine that I think will get me through the holiday season feeling rested and happy rather than tired and crabby. Please note: this is the minimal effort required for me to reach the desired outcome (rested and happy at January 1), meaning, I might do more than this, but if I hit just these goals then I count it a total win and know that I’ll feel great on New Year’s Day!
- Quiet. For me, it’s important to start my day with reading my Bible and praying. It grounds me, gets me outside of myself and helps me focus on the things that really matter. Most days this looks like a quick reading, maybe writing a few things in my journal, and praying.
- Move. Now is not the time for me to upping my game in this department……and when I get stressed out exercise is usually the first thing to get cut from my routine so I have to be mindful of my stress levels. I’ve been getting to the gym 3 (sometimes 4) times per week (for a 60-minute class) and running 30-40 minutes once per week….this seems manageable and the right amount of activity. Note: exercise is just as important for my mental health as my physical health. I get crabby when I skip too many workouts, which is what I’m trying to avoid this holiday season.
- Eat. Let me be more specific with this one: I will eat at least one serving of protein at each meal, and 5-6 servings of fruit and vegetables every day. This will primarily be vegetables, as I actually prefer veggies to most fruit….weird, I know. No, I won’t have a list of things I won’t be eating, because it’s the holidays and treats will be plentiful. But if I’m consistently filling up on protein, vegetables and fruit, there won’t be as much room for treats. We’ll talk more about how I handle treats later…..but for now, yes, I will be enjoying some without going overboard.
So that’s the plan. What would you add? Sleep? Water? Reading? Social time? Alone time? What would be the minimum amount of effort you need to put in to be rested and happy on New Year’s Day? Let me know and we’ll keep each other accountable.