Today’s post is a guest post from Caitlin of Teaspoon Living. Caitlin is sharing some easy tips for moms to help us remain as relaxed as possible during the holidays!
Holidays are hectic as it is, and add young kids into the mix? You got yourself a full plate! It’s hard to play the balancing act of enjoying the adult parties, the kid parties, buying the presents, decorating the house, planning fun holiday activities for the kids, and keeping up with your normal everyday duties. Between all this, it’s easy to forget about someone important that needs to be taken care of too.
Do you know who I’m talking about?
YOU! That’s right. You need to put your needs first this holiday season so you can have the energy and good spirit to enjoy it with your family. If you are happy and excited about all the festivities, it will rub off on the rest of the family, and you may truly have the most wonderful time of the year.
Let’s face it: your normal healthy habits might be pushed aside for a bit. But there are a few simple things you can do to make this holiday season more manageable, more enjoyable, and allow you to go into January feeling good, rather than completely drained and ready to hibernate.
Simple Tricks to Enjoy the Holidays with Your Kids
Plan to make at least 1-2 healthy meals a week.
It’s easy to throw home cooking to the wayside when your schedule gets out of hand. But it’s something you should prioritize because having a few home cooked and healthy meals each week will help give you the energy you need to keep going all month long! And if you are filled up with good-for-you food, there is less room for those holiday food temptations.
Throw your kid’s leftovers out!
It’s so easy to just pop the rest of the cookie that your son didn’t finish into your mouth. But do you actually want it? Or are you eating it just because it’s there? And are you even taking the time to truly savor it?
instead…
Decide exactly what you want to eat.
There are so many delicious treats this time of year, but I know that you don’t love every single one of them. You have a few favorites (maybe Rachel’s snowman oreos?) that you get most excited about, right? Save yourself for those. And when you do eat them, save it for a time where you have a few minutes to sit down and enjoy it, maybe along side a cup of coffee or tea. I will never tell you to skip out on the holiday treats, because that would just be cruel, but limit them to what you actually want. Your mood, energy levels, and waistline will thank you for it.
Limit your kid’s sugar consumption.
This tip is not only for your child, but for you too. Sugar crashes are a real thing, and moods will swing fast if your kids are overdosing on sugar. No one wins in this scenario. Have your kids follow the same advice as above – they can pick their favorite treat and you all can sit down and enjoy it together!
Make time for yourself.
If it means hiring a babysitter just so you can take a nap, do it. You deserve it and it will be money well spent. Or drop the kids off at a friend’s house one day, or ask your husband to take over for a few hours on the weekend. When you do have free time to yourself, figure out what will truly recharge you. Is it a quiet night at home, with a bubble bath and early bedtime? Or is it getting dressed up to the nines, and going on a date night with just the hubby? Or do you want to go to your favorite workout class? Think about what you need and make some time for it. You will need it.
Whatever you do this holiday season, don’t forget your own needs. Yes, it’s the month of giving, but give to yourself first and I promise, the whole family will benefit.
Want some more inspiration and motivation this month? Join us for the free 12 Days of Healthy Christmas program (https://teaspoonliving.leadpages.co/12-days-of-healthy-christmas/) to get tips, tricks, inspiration, and support to enjoy the holidays to the fullest without overindulging. Not to mention, there are daily prizes!
Caitlin Ball is a holistic health coach and food blogger (teaspoonliving.com), helping women repair their relationship with food by getting rid of the diet mentality while adding in delicious whole foods and excitement to their life. She can’t live without dark chocolate or red wine and doesn’t think anyone should have to! Join Caitlin and her Real Food First community (www.realfoodfirstcommunity.com) to join in the conversation about living a naturally healthy life without rules and restrictions.
