10 Holiday Tips For Work, Home, And Health

Are You Stressed Yet?

December is a month played in fast forward. No matter which holidays you celebrate (or don’t) the month is usually packed with work and home obligations which can leave you feeling strained, stressed, and anything but healthy.  Use these tips to create more space for real connection, work, and yourself this year.

Start With The Calendar:

Right now, mark every day left in December with an all-day appointment called “plans”.  From now on, when someone asks if you can attend something, you can honestly say, “I already have plans.”  Choose to do only the things which support your priorities this month.

Set Priorities:

What do you want and need to get done this month?  What healthy habits do you need to protect?  Who are the people you want to honor? What challenges do you want to minimize or avoid? Making three firm priorities will focus your efforts on what is most important.  Examples include:

• Making a gift buying budget and sticking to it.
• Getting enough sleep.
• Getting 20 minutes of exercise every day.
• Making time for a real conversation with someone important to you.
• Completing a year-end project at work
• Avoiding social obligations you don’t wish to attend.

3 Tips For Work:
International Productivity Expert Neen James offers 10 Ways to Save Time at Work, my favorites are:

• Schedule a catch up with friends or clients instead of exchanging gifts.
• Make a donation to charity on behalf of clients instead of gifts
• Set ‘out of office’ message on your email and phone. (Even if you aren’t actually out of the office)
  Read the rest of Neen’s Tips on her blog.

Let It Go:

At the risk of setting off a Frozen ear worm, think about what traditions or obligations which bring you no pleasure or joy. Do you really need to do them any more?  For example rather than devoting hours to sending out Christmas cards to a large list, contact a limited number of people in more personal ways.

Create space between you and the treats.

Researchers found workers were more likely to gain weight if the candy jar was within 6 feet of their desk.  Having to get up to get a piece of candy slowed the intake.  At work, create space between you and the treats.  Move the candy jar, avoid the break room, and put treats out of reach.  At home, out of sight is even better.  The cookies on the counter are much more likely to be eaten than the ones sealed up in the package in the cupboard or freezer.

Choose the really good stuff. 

Holiday treats abound, but, let’s be honest, not everything is delicious.  Save your treat calories for something really worth the indulgence. (This is also a good policy when choosing which activities and social obligations you say yes to this season as well.)

Enjoy the season and sun.

Even if it is cold outside, get out there.  A 15-minute walk in the sunshine will boost your spirits and energy level.

Give someone your undivided attention.

Neen ends her article with the this:

The BEST gift you can give someone this holiday season is the GIFT of your UNDIVIDED Attention.

I couldn’t agree more.  Be IN conversations this month, especially with those most dear.

Wishing you a happy, and healthy, December.