4 Tips to Stay Mentally & Physically Healthy During the Holidays

Happy Monday! The winter cold season already hit our home last weekend, most likely from the flurry of activity from our big move and the drastic drop in temperature. As we rested and napped our way back to health, I was thinking about how it can be challenging to keep up with any healthy routine during the busy holiday season. Especially in our society that can often glorify the notion of being ‘busy’.

So, I wanted to share a few things I focus on at home (and share with my yoga students) to stay healthy both mentally and physically during the busiest time of year.

ONE // Establish a positive morning routine (and take your vitamins!)
I like to start my work days with the same, predictable routine. When my alarm goes off, I try to get up right away rather than pressing snooze or scrolling through my phone. I love starting my morning with a work out if I have time, to get it out of the way and to get energized. It’s also important for me to start my day with vitamins (ahem… B, C, D, turmeric…) and a smoothie with greens and collagen.

TWO // Pair a mantra with your breath
In moments of overwhelm or anxiety, I find adding a mantra to my breath really helps keep me focused and calm. I’ll often start my yoga classes with a simple Inhale “I am present”, Exhale “In this moment”. Another calming one if I can’t sleep or am especially uneasy is Inhale “I am strong”, Exhale “I am grateful”.

THREE // Take time for yourself
This advice sounds so basic, but I will quickly get run down if I don’t take time to relax and lay low. I’ll put on a detoxifying face mask and do an Epsom salt foot soak. Or taking an hour for a hot yoga class gives me 60 mins to just focus on ONE THING rather than feeling pulled in a million directions.

FOUR // Prep healthy meals
Eating healthy dinners seems to be the first thing that drops when my schedule gets bonkers.  But ordering pizza on a Tuesday isn’t going to help me or Zak stay healthy during the winter months. I do my best to plan at least 3 healthy dinners for the week and do my grocery shopping on the weekend so our fridge is stocked.

I’d love to know – Do you have any tips or tricks for staying mentally and physically healthy throughout the holiday season?