The festive period can be a stressful time with extra family pressures, present shopping, money worries and end of year fatigue.
Therefore, it’s more important than ever to be looking after your wellbeing to ensure you thrive rather than simply survive this festive period.
So, here at Zest Lifestyle, we’ve put together a festive first aid kit built around each of our pillars of vitality to help you survive the season…
Sleep
This time of year, you’re likely to be socialising quite a bit more than usual. Which often means lots of late nights (along with plenty of alcohol which is a sleep disrupter). In addition, you might find yourself staying over with friends and relatives and sleeping on the sofa bed, meaning you’re likely to have a few restless nights.
Top that off with excited kids, indigestion from the rich food and being out of routine, and you could be in for a rough period of sleep.
To counterbalance some of this, here are some of our top Zesty tips to help you maximise on your sleep this Christmas:
😴 Pack an eye mask and ear plugs.
🌺 Spray your pillow with a lavender spray to help you relax.
🛌 Take your own pillow with you.
🎧 Play white noise to block out unfamiliar sounds.
💺 Indulge in some daytime naps.
Eat
Over the festive period, you’re likely to overindulge and to drink and eat more than you usually would. It’s great to enjoy yourself from time to time but be wary of the balance tipping too much in the wrong direction, as you may end up feeling worse as a result.
Did you know the average number of calories consumed on Christmas day is in excess of:
6,000 calories!
Here at Zest Lifestyle, we usually live by the 80/20 rule – 80% of the time spent eating healthily and the remaining 20% for treats. Over the festive period, you may wish to adjust this balance to allow for some additional treats, but just be mindful it doesn’t tip too much in the wrong direction!
It’s also easy to get run down at this time of year so ensure you are looking after your immune system. Have plenty of Vitamin C, try adding a couple of drops of Echinacea to your water if you’re feeling run down and make sure you keep well hydrated throughout.
In addition to the above, here are some other tips you can try:
👩🍳 Opt for 2 instead of 3 meals a day.
🍑 Consume plenty of Vitamin C.
🍽 Use a smaller plate (you can always go back for seconds).
💧 Drink plenty of water.
🚱 Don’t drink alcohol on an empty stomach.
🥛 Have some alcohol-free days in between the celebrations.
Move
While the temptation is there to sit around in our PJ’s all day long through the Christmas period, it’s important (and beneficial) to make sure you get outside for some fresh air and exercise.
It could be a family walk, a dance off, a bike ride or even a cold dip for a traditional Boxing Day swim. Whatever takes your fancy, just embrace the weather (and the waterproofs) and get out there. We promise, you’ll feel so much better for it.
The festive period can also feel a bit claustrophobic for some so it’s important to create your own time and space and to escape from time to time. Try having a change of scenery, going out for a solo walk, or try out any new workout gear you are gifted this Christmas and get yourself to the local gym.
If you’re struggling to get in enough activity over the festive period, here are some Zesty things you can try:
👣Get outside and do some winter walks around the grounds of castles or stately homes, country trails or coastal paths, or national parks.
➡️Get your family or friends involved in festive step challenges with apps like Strava or even a virtual challenge such as “Walk the Length of the UK.”
🤸♂️ Do some online workouts.
🕺🏼Blast out some Christmas classics and have a dance-off with your family or household!
⚽ Organise some active family games in the garden or a local park, like football, frisbee, or a scavenger hunt with a Christmas twist.
🥫 Volunteer to help out at a local food bank or soup kitchen.
🥽Brave the water and go for an outdoor or indoor swim.
🎮 Engage in family-friendly games on a Nintendo Switch or PlayStation VR that encourage movement.
Think
This time of year can be more stressful than most, it might be family, travel arrangements, present buying, cooking, shopping or just the sheer volume of everything there is to do. All of which is likely to be exacerbated by too many late nights, one too many sherries and lots of sugary foods. All combined, it is likely this will have a detrimental effect on our mental wellbeing.
Therefore, it’s important to keep things in perspective. There is the temptation to strive for everything to be perfect. So, accepting that things will go wrong and sharing the load with others will help to keep your stress levels in check.
Another thing to be mindful of is your financial wellbeing, this time of year there can be a lot of pressure to buy extravagant gifts and lots of indulgent treats. Strip things back and make it instead about spending quality time with family and friends. Have a go at making some gifts this year yourself or try instead to book experiences that you can do together throughout the year to spread out the fun.
If you’re finding your wellbeing taking a dip this time of year, then here are some things that may help:
😤 Breathe – not everything has to be perfect, try and go with the flow, remember to breathe and if you feel your blood beginning to boil, excuse yourself and take a few deep breaths.
💬 Communicate – if you’re feeling stressed or anxious, share this with others – communicate to friends and family how you are feeling and how they can support you. Remember, you don’t need to do it all yourself!
🕹 Control – whether that’s taking control or letting go – both can help you to navigate this busy time of year. Lots of advance planning is a great way to help you feel more in control, but sometimes we just need to learn to let go and go with the flow!
Pause
For many people, once they finish work for the Christmas holidays, they’re too exhausted to enjoy it or end up falling ill. So, try to pace yourself throughout December so that you can enjoy the lead up and the day once it finally arrives.
🚫Learn to say no more often – if you accept every invitation that comes your way, you may end up experiencing what is known as ‘social burnout’. Instead keep a check on your energy levels and set some healthy boundaries for yourself.
✅It’s also good to take some proper downtime over the Christmas period – where possible book some additional time off and make sure to schedule in time for yourself and not to over commit.
📦This period can also be a great time to declutter and have a clear out – both of your possessions but also to have a digital detox and clear out. This will help to reduce that feeling of a busy mind and instead create a sense of calm.
We hope these tips help you to enjoy the festive season as much as possible and wish you all a Zesty Christmas and a very Happy New Year!
Rachel Williams – Founder & Chief Vitality Officer, Zest Lifestyle