The festive season is upon us again and it’s the season to let our hair down and indulge and leave all our good intentions until January right?
We are bound to to relax and indulge, at this time of year, and this is of course completely great but I’d argue we can shift away from the all or nothing type of thinking that is typical in December. Over this period it’s all too tempting to give yourself permission to stop exercising and eat whatever you like. “You deserve it and have worked hard all year”. As tempting as this type of thinking is, think this is setting us all up to struggle and work even harder to change mindsets and build motivation in the new year. It is indeed reinforcing the “cycle of failure” that many of us are trapped in whereby we set ourselves January New Year’s resolutions which do not last.
Obviously things will be a little more relaxed than usual but I’d argue that you can still maintain a healthy attitude. Just because you have indulged on a beige buffet or two, some mince pies and countless glasses of wine the day before does not mean that eating healthier, or doing some exercise, the next day is out of the question. Punishing yourself with critical and guilty self-talk is also not helpful. Here are my top 5 tips for keeping a healthy and motivated mindset at Christmas:
1. Maintain your usual routine
Try to keep up your usual wellbeing routine over the festive period whether that be a daily meditation, your exercise programme, or trying to get enough sleep. It’s tempting to embrace a completely sedentary lifestyle at Christmas which we know has seriously negative effects on our health. Continuing to exercise over the festive period is important and will have countless positive effects on how you feel particularly if you have enjoyed yourself the day before. My long Boxing Day run is always so refreshing and makes me feel great after an indulgent Christmas day. You can even see whether there’s a Christmas Day or New Year’s Day parkrun you can join in your local area: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/special-events/.
2. Be kind to yourself
The way you relate to yourself over this time of year will be particularly important in how you feel. It is completely normal to allow yourself to enjoy the festive period and everything it brings. It is also completely human to feel guilty about this from time to time particularly if you are usually an avid dieter. Treat yourself with compassion and tell yourself it is OK to enjoy yourself without getting trapped in a vicious “all or nothing” cycle. If you’ve overindulged it doesn’t mean everything has gone out the window and you should give up, simply try to be conscious of what you eat the next day and stick to a healthier routine that day. Try not to utter the words “I’ll do that in January”.
3. Listen to your body
At this time of year it is tempting to stuff ourselves silly without listening to how we really feel. Pay attention to each mouthful of delicious festive foods and take in the smells and tastes with all your concentration. Eating in a mindful way will help you be conscious of what you are consuming as well as enhance enjoyment. Give yourself 10 minutes before taking a second helping to allow your body to feel full. Ask yourself out loud if you really need that second helping. Most of the time you will find you actually do not need or even really want a second helping at all and you already feel completely full. This will have a positive effect in helping remove the feeling of guilt overindulgence you might feel.
4. Get outside:
Get outside and get natural light and fresh air as much as you can, especially after eating a big meal. The science tells us that being outside has multiple positive effects on our mental and physical health. Benefits include:
- Increases in energy levels
- Encouraging movement and exercise and all the benefits this brings
- Boosting your immune system
- Getting a dose of vitamin D (even in the winter)
- It’s good for your vision and eyesight
- Increases focus and concentration
There’s a great podcast on the benefits of getting more natural light this by expert Linda Geddes if anyone is interested in this topic.
5. Use the time wisely:
Christmas for many of us gives us time to have a break from the usual routine of work and allows us time to reflect. It can also be an incredibly stressful and busy time for many people. Make sure you allow yourself some time for thoughtful contemplation, relaxation and meditation. The time can also be wisely spent with your family and loved ones if you are lucky enough to have people to share your Christmas with.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone!
