Tis the Season...

Here we are in last weeks of December--heading straight into the New Year.  It's the time of year when treats, gifts, socializing, entertaining and stress come to the forefront.  It's supposed to be a fun time, but with all that has to get done, we often lose sight of the ho ho ho.

Now is the time to be realistic.  What can you do with gifts, wrapping, entertaining, cooking?  What will you do?  Is there anything that you can cut back on and take an assist from the store?  Let them do the work.  That's why they are there.  Gift cards may seem like a let-down gift, but if you can't find the right gift, the card is an excellent choice, and you can always put it in a bigger box and disguise it for fun.

Let's get real about the eating too.  What is likely to happen this time of year?  Where are the big meals, appetizers, desserts and drinks coming from?  When will they be showing up?  What is a "must have" and what is an "ok" thing to pass up?  Decide ahead of time if possible, and then carry out your plan. Otherwise, when you get to the gathering, assess the entire situation and make smart choices then and there.  Drinking lots of water, not going places hungry, standing far from the food, getting busy chatting and catching up are all ways to make the eating less stressful and the good times more enjoyable.

This is not the time to give up on some quiet, peace and calm and even fitness.  A little bit of away time, normalcy, can keep the healthy routines alive and keep you on better track.  You will feel better when you rest, take breaks, get exercise, and enjoy your special hobbies.  Again, this fulfillment piece has the capacity to refuel your tank so that the food doesn't have to jump up and eat you like a gingerbread man.

No one is going to be perfect over the holidays. We are human, and we all have the capacity to make choices we might regret.  However, we can always do better when we know better.  We can always make a smarter choice the next time.  We can always keep moving.  Your health does not take a vacation.  Your piece of mind does not take a vacation.  Your desire to be a fulfilled person does not take a vacation.

I asked my yoga students this week if they had one gift, that cannot be bought, that cannot be wrapped, to give to themselves--what would that gift be?  I ask you too.

Merry Christmas and Seasons Greetings.