In the flurry of holiday activities, let's come back to what is real. You are real. Your body is real. Your thoughts are real even if they aren't helpful. Your heartfelt wishes are real. Let's be clear. You are not your body or your thoughts or your wishes, but they do matter. In fact, they matter regardless of the day of the month, week or year.
With this point, consider what needs to happen for you to enjoy the last two weeks of this year. If holiday time is one of your favorite times, then this is easy. Pace yourself and keep going. If you are not quite into the festive spirit, now is the time to find things to appreciate. Maybe it something simple like looking at lights at night or enjoying a special tea and a good book or sitting in a hotel lobby amidst the hubbub. If this is NOT your favorite time for whatever reason--alternative Christmas, then your focus might be to just get through it. That's ok too. Get distracted. Maintain routine, and be kind to yourself. Time marches on either way.
Acknowledging how you are this time of year is very important. You don't have to be happy if you're not or excited if you're deflated or worried about finances. Not everyone is holding hands and singing carols around the Christmas tree. (As if!) I remember the Christmas when I was in the middle of my divorce, and soon to be ex husband was still living in the house. It was horrible. I couldn't even bring myself to send out cards, which I love to do. It was tough slogging, but I had to do it for my daughters, so I did. And, presto change-o we all got through it.
One thing everyone can do, right now, in this moment, which is where the power is--the present moment--is to give yourself the gift of self care awareness. You can, right now, take note of how you feel in your body--rested? fatigued? borderline ill? You can take note of how you feel in your mind--distracted? overwhelmed? contented? And you can take a good long look at what you hold dearly in your heart--the very best of you. What lies there? What are your heartfelt wishes for yourself? Consider what comes up even if it makes no sense. Sit with those things for a bit. If you feel that your heartfelt wishes are far away in the future, then acknowledge that it may be a process. If you feel that your heartfelt wishes are actually coming to you, be very appreciative of that too.
Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas, happy Chanukah however it pleases you.
Thursday, December 19, 2019
Thursday, December 12, 2019
Plan B: Holiday Eating ReBoot
Every year when the holidays come around, there is excitement, nostalgia and sometimes dread at the thought of all that has to get done. Sometimes it is an nonevent because of unforeseen circumstances. No matter what, the pressure is on. The booze is flowing. The cookies are baking and trading. The pot lucks are often bad lucks. So much to do.
At the start of the season with the pumpkin spice turning to pepperminty, it all seems hopeful. However, after a few gatherings or unexpected pitfalls, it can become too much. I always hear by the end of the year--"I'm so glad it's over." Wait a second...it all began so well... but what an end. It doesn't have to be this way.
Imagining your best self showing up in the midst of a busy time of year, on top of your regular life including work, family, commuting, pets, laundry, bill paying, etc. might be too ambitious. So, instead of counting on your best self showing up, what about your best self in the moment showing up? What about pivoting and redirecting your attention where you really want it to go? This is not to say that planning how to handle a social event, dinner out or celebration is not a wise idea. This is to suggest that what if, by chance, you are thrown for a loop in the moment, and your best laid plan is not going to happen. Plan B is your new Plan A/change-a-roo.
Of course, in order to pivot in the moment, you have to be mindful of what is happening, what is being offered, where you position yourself in relation to food opportunities and how you are feeling. The power is always in the present moment. What if you are invited to a party that you have gone to for years, and every year they have served the same kind of healthy food. You have come to expect it, and this year, whoops--it's different. You were planning on that delicious relish tray with grilled veggies and shrimp cocktail, but instead, they are serving frozen cheesey hors d'oeuvres from Costco. YUM. But wait a minute, YUM but major calories from sat fat. Now you can pivot and rethink your options. What looks worthy of indulging in? Can you go and get more bubbly water first? Can you distance yourself from the food for a bit? Can you retreat and go to the restroom and look yourself in the mirror and say--Plan A/change-a-roo starts now?
There is no perfect plan. There is the human plan that gets carried out in very human situations. A healthier holiday plan is what we are looking for. This means that we don't get filled with regret over what happened. We don't have a gut bomb because we overdid it. We don't dread social gatherings because we can't control our impulses. We go to the events that appeal. We enjoy what we can--our friends, the catching up, the fun. We choose mindfully. Afterwards, consider how things went. Do you like what happened? Do you like your pivot? Then, gather wisdom from that experience and use it the next time.
Holly jolly, jingle jangle, ho ho ho and merry berry. If you want it to be. Calm, control, peace, joy. If you want it to be. A little of both. You decide. Then embrace your choices.
At the start of the season with the pumpkin spice turning to pepperminty, it all seems hopeful. However, after a few gatherings or unexpected pitfalls, it can become too much. I always hear by the end of the year--"I'm so glad it's over." Wait a second...it all began so well... but what an end. It doesn't have to be this way.
Imagining your best self showing up in the midst of a busy time of year, on top of your regular life including work, family, commuting, pets, laundry, bill paying, etc. might be too ambitious. So, instead of counting on your best self showing up, what about your best self in the moment showing up? What about pivoting and redirecting your attention where you really want it to go? This is not to say that planning how to handle a social event, dinner out or celebration is not a wise idea. This is to suggest that what if, by chance, you are thrown for a loop in the moment, and your best laid plan is not going to happen. Plan B is your new Plan A/change-a-roo.
Of course, in order to pivot in the moment, you have to be mindful of what is happening, what is being offered, where you position yourself in relation to food opportunities and how you are feeling. The power is always in the present moment. What if you are invited to a party that you have gone to for years, and every year they have served the same kind of healthy food. You have come to expect it, and this year, whoops--it's different. You were planning on that delicious relish tray with grilled veggies and shrimp cocktail, but instead, they are serving frozen cheesey hors d'oeuvres from Costco. YUM. But wait a minute, YUM but major calories from sat fat. Now you can pivot and rethink your options. What looks worthy of indulging in? Can you go and get more bubbly water first? Can you distance yourself from the food for a bit? Can you retreat and go to the restroom and look yourself in the mirror and say--Plan A/change-a-roo starts now?
There is no perfect plan. There is the human plan that gets carried out in very human situations. A healthier holiday plan is what we are looking for. This means that we don't get filled with regret over what happened. We don't have a gut bomb because we overdid it. We don't dread social gatherings because we can't control our impulses. We go to the events that appeal. We enjoy what we can--our friends, the catching up, the fun. We choose mindfully. Afterwards, consider how things went. Do you like what happened? Do you like your pivot? Then, gather wisdom from that experience and use it the next time.
Holly jolly, jingle jangle, ho ho ho and merry berry. If you want it to be. Calm, control, peace, joy. If you want it to be. A little of both. You decide. Then embrace your choices.
Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Bounce Back with Healthy Fuel
With Thanksgiving in the rear view mirror, we now turn our attention to December and all that it brings. Staying focused on your routine and keeping your schedule as normal as possible are great ways to approach this busy time.
Start the day off right with a healthy breakfast so that your body and mind are prepared for more good things to come. Fuel the day with protein, healthy carbs and a healthy fat. This will give you energy to do your work plus a little boost in case someone walks in with donuts. Speaking of those unexpected treats... decide if and when you are going to indulge, and then enjoy. Every treat that comes your way, however, is not yours. Some of this "found food" is worthy of you, while some is simply not.
Drink lots of water no matter the weather. Staying hydrated so that your body works better is critical. At home, set up a nice pitcher of spa water on your kitchen counter. Every time you see it, take another drink. You can add peeled cucumber and limes or lemons and oranges or mint leaves and cucumber--whatever you like. It's fun to look at. It's a twist on regular water. It can remind you to drink more water.
Plan ahead for parties and pot lucks. Decide in advance which parties are worth eating at. This week I have three Christmas parties in a row. Two of these parties I have been to before, and while they have great holiday foods at both, I can easily eat before I go and have seltzer water when I am there. The other party--that's at a hotel with fun programming and a dessert reception and... I don't know what else, but that's where I am planning to try some new things. As for pot lucks, if you don't have to go, then maybe you skip. Not every gathering may be worthy of your time and effort. In that case, bypass the pot luck/bad luck buffet and eat as you normally would.
Keep your activity going. If you take a regular yoga class or walk with a friend, don't stop now. Your body and mind will thank you for these precious breaks.
Stocking the refrigerator with healthy foods, lots of cut up fruits and vegetables that are grab and go will help keep you on track. Heavy holiday foods interfere with your digestion, energy and motivation. Bounce back by eating your regular foods.
Staying focused and on track is a challenge oftentimes, and at holiday time, the struggle is real. You can be stronger than the struggle. You can decide that even if today didn't go as well as you would have liked, you will bounce back by doing the next right thing. The power is in the doing. The power is in you.
Start the day off right with a healthy breakfast so that your body and mind are prepared for more good things to come. Fuel the day with protein, healthy carbs and a healthy fat. This will give you energy to do your work plus a little boost in case someone walks in with donuts. Speaking of those unexpected treats... decide if and when you are going to indulge, and then enjoy. Every treat that comes your way, however, is not yours. Some of this "found food" is worthy of you, while some is simply not.
Drink lots of water no matter the weather. Staying hydrated so that your body works better is critical. At home, set up a nice pitcher of spa water on your kitchen counter. Every time you see it, take another drink. You can add peeled cucumber and limes or lemons and oranges or mint leaves and cucumber--whatever you like. It's fun to look at. It's a twist on regular water. It can remind you to drink more water.
Plan ahead for parties and pot lucks. Decide in advance which parties are worth eating at. This week I have three Christmas parties in a row. Two of these parties I have been to before, and while they have great holiday foods at both, I can easily eat before I go and have seltzer water when I am there. The other party--that's at a hotel with fun programming and a dessert reception and... I don't know what else, but that's where I am planning to try some new things. As for pot lucks, if you don't have to go, then maybe you skip. Not every gathering may be worthy of your time and effort. In that case, bypass the pot luck/bad luck buffet and eat as you normally would.
Keep your activity going. If you take a regular yoga class or walk with a friend, don't stop now. Your body and mind will thank you for these precious breaks.
Stocking the refrigerator with healthy foods, lots of cut up fruits and vegetables that are grab and go will help keep you on track. Heavy holiday foods interfere with your digestion, energy and motivation. Bounce back by eating your regular foods.
Staying focused and on track is a challenge oftentimes, and at holiday time, the struggle is real. You can be stronger than the struggle. You can decide that even if today didn't go as well as you would have liked, you will bounce back by doing the next right thing. The power is in the doing. The power is in you.
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