6. Limit the Holiday Cheer
And by cheer, I’m referring to egg nog spiked with rum, wine, beer, or alcohol of any kind. Drinking too much alcohol over the holidays can lead to weight gain and disrupted sleep. Additionally, imbibing too much can cause tension and conflict with friends and family.
Choose your drinks like you would your battles—wisely and with the idea of peace on earth in mind. Enjoy a glass of wine at the office party, followed by a glass of sparkling water. This will keep you from overdoing the alcohol, keep you from getting drunk and making impulsive decisions, and also keep you safely hydrated.
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7. Create New Traditions
Old traditions—such as opening presents on Christmas Eve or of everyone getting together at your house to cook and bake for Hanukkah—might not occur every year, especially if you have loved ones with multiple holiday obligations and families of their own.
Instead of enforcing, rose-tinted, unwavering memories of old, create new traditions with some heart-warming traditions infused within, such as a family hike or feeding those in need at the food bank. This way, everyone will feel included, have fun, and come back next year.
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8. Limit Holiday Obligations
Between ugly Christmas sweater parties with friends, secret Santa gift exchanges at the office, and holiday pot lucks with family, your social calendar can get more jam-packed than Rudolph’s stocking during the holidays.
However, keep in mind that you’re not obligated to attend every single social event, unless you put unrealistic pressure on yourself. Keep the holidays joyous and relish time spent with those you love by turning down events that don’t fit into your schedule. Unlike the man in the red suit, you can’t be everywhere in just one night.
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Emily Lockhart
Emily Lockhart is a certified yoga instructor and personal trainer. She believes that being healthy is a lifestyle choice, not a punishment or temporary fix to attain a desired fitness or body image goal. Anna helps her clients take responsibility for their own health and wellness through her classes and articles on ActiveBeat.