Wow! Like Barry Manilow said-“Looks Like We Made It!!” …. To the end of 2020 at least! When I started these newsletters in January-never did I think that the year would be filled with such turmoil, stress, and anxiety! But-as a testament to our resiliency, we’ve made it to December and so it’s time to celebrate and to begin to look forward to new and better year!
And like everything else this year- this holiday season will prove to be different than any other one we’ve experienced in the past. So with that in mind- here are some simple wellness tips to help us stay safe and healthy during this Holiday Season 2020!
1. It’s Okay to Say No
There’s usually a lot of pressure to say yes to everything during the holidays. So many parties, so little time. But with this year’s cue being social distancing and limiting large gatherings-we may feel uncomfortable socializing in our normal manner. So let yourself say no if it doesn’t feel right. You know your limits when it comes to commitments, so use the mantra, ‘I can say no’ when it gets too overwhelming.
2. Amp up the H2O
Between the holiday cocktails, delicious treats, colder weather, and more than average stress, your body likely needs a little more water than usual. Stay hydrated by limiting your alcoholic intake and always having a bottle of water nearby or a cup of warm tea.
3. Apply the 80/20 Rule
If your house is anything like my office’s break room, there’ll be an unlimited supply of cookies, candies, and other sweet delicacies from now until New Year’s! This makes staying on a healthy diet a challenge. But here’s an easy tip for you- remember this easy ratio to follow when thinking about your nutrition. Are you eating nourishing foods 80% of the time? Are you indulging 20% of the time? When it starts to feel more like 70/30 or 60/40 you know your body might need a few more nutrients.
4. Keep Up A Mindfulness Practice
Your mind is likely full with plenty of to-do lists this time of year, so be intentional about taking a few minutes of ‘me time’ every day as part of your mindfulness practice. This could be a few minutes of breathing, a quick walk, or some light stretching before bed. A 10 minute yoga practice or a simple meditation in a quiet room in the middle of the day can go a long way to keeping you sane from all the hustle and bustle of the month.
5. Focus On The Little Things
Let’s be honest, the holidays can come and go in an instant! We blink and they’re gone. So, everyday try to focus on something you’re grateful for. Even in this difficult and challenging year, we all have so much to be thankful for – so let’s try to remember that! Take a minute to appreciate the way your tree sparkles at night, the look on your child’s face when they open their gift, or the cup of hot chocolate you’re treating yourself to. Slow down, take a step back, and soak it in.
6. Squeeze in Exercise
Never is exercise more important for your physical and mental wellbeing than it is this month- and yet it is the time when we all tend to exercise the least. So if this time of year seems impossible to fit in your regular workouts, try sneaking exercise into your normal daily routine. This could be walking around the block while you wait for dinner to be ready, taking the stairs instead of the elevator all month long, or strolling on your lunch break instead of sitting down.
7. Utilize the Calendar
If there was ever a month we believe in keeping a detailed calendar, it’s December. Staying organized with our schedules keeps us calm and gives us peace of mind. And while there may be less parties and events this year due to the pandemic-we will still have more than our fair share of things to do, people to see, and places to go. So keep an organized calendar of events-It will help us manage commitments and priorities more effectively.
8. The End is in Sight
Remember how far you’ve come this year and what you’ve done to stay healthy-and don’t give up now! With a vaccine just around the corner, now is not the time for complacency or for slacking on those all-important CDC guidelines. Make sure no matter whether you’re at a family function, and office party, or a dinner event with friends-remember to wear your facemask whenever you’re not eating, maintain social distance from others, and carry hand sanitizer at all times to keep your hands clean and germ-free.
Now let me end by personally saying how proud I am of my office staff for the phenomenal job they have done this year in keeping our patients safe while keeping our office open and humming! I couldn’t have done it without them and I love them all! Let me next say how proud I am of all our patients for adhering to all our safety guidelines and always being civil, polite, and appreciative while being loyal members of our office family. I know I speak for all my staff when I say that it’s for all of you that we’ve persevered this year and I’ve never been more proud to be a Chiropractor or to be a part of this New City Chiropractic family!
Wishing you a very happy and healthy holiday season!