The Road to Christmas

The twelfth month is here! Decorations are up, Advent calendars are being opened and the Christmas countdown is on! For those that love the festive season, it is an incredibly exciting time of the year. With a busy month ahead packed with social occasions and a full to-do list, we must have self-care at the front of our minds to avoid exhaustion and burnout. If you want to arrive to the 25th of December full of energy and ready to enjoy the day, it is time to commit to looking after yourself throughout the lead-up to the day that follows Santa down the chimney.

You are only human! In the festive season, there can be much expectation to do a lot and be a whole a lot of places. You may need to exercise healthy boundaries and manage expectations to protect your brilliant self. Perhaps in one weekend you might decide that Uncle Fred’s Christmas party is too much on top of your daughter’s school play and your work Christmas function. The truth is, when you are exhausted and burnt out, you are unlikely to show up to the world as the best version of yourself. Sometimes tough decisions need to be made in efforts to preserve your energy. Articulating your boundaries in a loving and caring way is important to help others understand. Good communication is key in declining an invite.

Burnout and exhaustion can also lead to the making of poor lifestyle choices. For example, if you are exhausted, are you going to get takeout or make a wonderful, nutritious home cooked meal? Good on you if the answer is the latter! However, if the answer is the first, sustainable energy expenditure can enable you to make healthy lifestyle choices.

While we are discussing healthy lifestyle choices, there are also healthy boundaries you may need to set yourself this festive season. At this time of year, the parties that fill your diary, the beverages that flood the celebrations and the delicious food on offer can result in this being a less nutritious time of the year. It doesn’t have to be this way, you choose! Will you have one piece of chocolate cake? Or two? One wine? Or two? The choice is yours.

The festve season is a time to absolutely enjoy! Don’t burnout or suffer exhaustion this Christmas! Exercise healthy boundaries to use your energy sustainably and enable healthy food choices in the festive season.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!