Written by Jennifer Jones, Pilates & Yoga Teacher
Jennifer Jones is a Pilates, Yoga, and Meditation teacher and founder of JenZen Wellness, a holistic health and wellness company. She specialises in supporting women over 40 to prioritise their health and embrace their true selves. Jennifer offers both online and in-person classes and coaching sessions.
It’s the “most wonderful time of the year.” For some of us, at least! Bah, Humbug! But for the rest of us, Christmas is a time to spend with loved ones, eat, drink, and be merry! However, somewhere along the way, things can go awry. You’re caught up in all the fun and excitement of the season and end up going overboard with all the preparation in anticipation of this special day. When the day finally arrives, you’re either completely stressed out and over it or are too exhausted to enjoy the festivities. One of the main reasons this happens is that you’ve forgotten about your wellness routine! But fear not ladies; I have a few tips to help you find a little “zen” during the holi-craze!
1. Buy gift certificates
Half the joy of Christmas is all the shopping you’ll do – finding the perfect gift for that special someone in your life. But finding that perfect gift can be somewhat stressful, especially if:
It’s someone new in your life, and you’re not quite sure what’s appropriate.
It’s your lifelong partner who happens to be that person who always buys themselves what they want, and you find yourself stuck on what to get them.
If you’re newly dating, or you know what your partner likes but aren’t sure what they need, buying a Gift certificate is a great option. You can purchase gift certificates from a department store, a spa, a hardware store, or their favourite restaurant! The key here is to alleviate any stress by giving them something they can appreciate; it’s a win-win!
2. It’s okay to say no
It’s the time of the year when there’s no shortage of Christmas parties, dinners and events. Suddenly, your social calendar is full to overflowing! But guess what? You don’t have to attend every single one! If any of them will be happening in close succession or on the same night, it’s perfectly okay to decline one or two! Say “yes” to the ones that will easily fit into your current schedule and won’t break your budget. Some of these events may require you to spend a bit more than planned, so be aware! If you’re paid early at this time of the year, keep that in mind and spend wisely. For some reason, January always seems like the longest and hardest month of the year! Saying “yes” to fewer events will prevent you from feeling the financial strain when the new year rolls around!
3. Pace yourself
Now that you’ve chosen which events you’ll attend, it’s time to go to the first one! Remember to pace yourself. Be mindful of what you’re eating and how much you’re drinking, especially if you’re driving. The key here is not to not enjoy yourself but to have a wonderful time without overindulging! You still have other events to attend, so there are plenty of opportunities to indulge. Plus, if these events are on a work night, you want to make sure you aren't out too late and that you can get enough sleep and wake up feeling refreshed and ready for work the next day! Aim to stick to your current wellness routine. You want to avoid derailing yourself too much, as getting back on track will be harder.
4. Eat out or cater
Sweating over a hot stove and spending all day cooking in the kitchen is so 1999! It’s time for a new tradition! Dine out! More and more restaurants are offering Christmas lunches. Let this be the year when you say to the family, “I’ve made a reservation!” If dining out takes away from that feeling of “family and togetherness” that you love, but you still don’t want to cook, then cater! Choosing to have your Christmas dinner catered eliminates your having to do any of the cooking, and it frees you up to spend more time with your loved ones.
5. Rest during this holiday season
In addition to being more socially active during the holidays, the demands of your job may increase, which may mean longer working hours. Making sure you’re getting adequate rest is vital. Just because it’s the holiday season doesn't mean your self-care practices go out the window. It's quite the opposite. It’s the ideal time to rely on them even more. Preparing for the holidays can be overwhelming – there’s so much you want to do, and there doesn't seem to be enough time to get it all done. Keeping up with your self-care routines as much as possible helps. If you find yourself feeling stressed and need a moment to regroup, try this easy breathing practice! Focusing on your breathing for three to five minutes will do a world of good!
Easy breathing practice
Sit tall, with your feet firmly planted on the floor
Place your hands on your lap, palms down
Close your eyes or soften your gaze
Inhale slowly through your nose for the count of four
Exhale slowly through your nose for the count of four
Repeat until you feel calm, less anxious, and ready to get back to it
Tip: Try holding your breath in for four counts, then exhale slowly. Hold it out for four counts, then inhale again. Imagine the stress melting away with each exhale.
Christmas is that feel-good time of the year to enjoy with your family and friends. But amidst all the tinsel and sparkling lights, remember to seek balance. Maintaining your exercise routine, getting adequate rest, and eating healthy will keep you on track so you can be the social butterfly you want to be and enjoy the season. Happy Holidays, everyone!
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Read more from Jennifer Jones
Jennifer Jones, Pilates & Yoga Teacher
Jennifer Jones is a certified Stott Pilates® Matwork Instructor, registered E-RYT 200HR, 500HR Rasa Yoga teacher, and a CNTRD Wellness Meditation teacher. For many years, health and fitness have been an important part of her life in helping manage frequent back pain. As a teacher, Jennifer's passion is to educate and empower her students and clients by providing them with useful tools to support their well-being. Her classes are inclusive, creative, fun, and educational. Jennifer is a highly experienced pilates and yoga instructor who holds multiple certifications including specialties in Group Matwork, Core®, Hot Yoga, and Yin Yoga.
