This time of year is super busy for most people. Dinners, parties, and shopping make schedules tight. Then there is relationship stress of being with family, and financial stress from buying gifts. All this can lead to physical and emotional exhaustion.
Is this the right way to enjoy the Christmas season? Certainly not!
Christmas should bring us joy and happiness. We should feel anticipation and excitement. Not anxiety and frustration.
I had to take a step back this week and remind myself of this. I’ve been baking lots of healthy holiday treats for gifts (plus I’ve been working like crazy on my cookbook hoping to get it done to give as Christmas gifts – didn’t happen).
The biggest stressor for me though is preparing for my in-laws. They will be staying with me next week (5 of them). I am looking forward very much to seeing them, but I’m stressed about the cleaning, cooking, and sleeping arrangements.
I have been very anxious too about the food. I stay on track with my diet by keeping my environment clean. I do not bring trouble food into my house. Well, next week my house will be full of trouble with a capital T!
But I told myself to take a deep breath, to relax, to enjoy each day and not let even one day pass without enjoying it. I’m playing Christmas music, plugging in the lights, and having fun wrapping presents.
Though next week will be tough for me diet-wise, I plan to cope with the stress of it all by:
- Exercising daily.
- Keeping a food log (except for Christmas).
- Sticking with my eating plan most of the time (no matter what everyone else is eating).
- Cooking my usual healthy meals and just offering some special treats to my guest.
- Focusing on relationships rather than food.
