It’s November and that means, it’s holiday time! If you’re on social media, you are already seeing Christmas trees going up and of course the Christmas commercials have started.
This time of year is magical but it can also be stressful. I’m not kidding when I say if I don’t get a handle on myself, I can be a hot mess!
Between decorating my home, baking, shopping and of course finding the perfect outfit for all of my holiday events, life can get stressful.
So truthfully, I’m writing this post for myself but I’m assuming some of you might be like me and sometimes let the holidays get the best of you.
I’m preparing myself now so that I can enjoy the season. I love Thanksgiving and Christmas but the old adage is true, If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.
Let’s commit to these healthy habits now so we can feel our best!
Here are 5 tips to keep our healthy lifestyle through the holidays:
1. Get a good night’s sleep. We all have a lot to get done during this time of year but sleep is so important. The benefits of sleep include better memory, lowers stress, and over all healthier.
I use Peace & Calming in my diffuser every night. Peace & Calming creates a calming and peaceful atmosphere throughout my bedroom. When I’m really stressed I drop some on my pillow too!
2. Make time for yourself! This sounds selfish but to be our best, we need to recharge ourselves. Take time to relax in a hot bath. I love to add epsom salt to my bath water.
Epsom salt has numerous health benefits including relaxing the nervous system, curing skin problems, soothing back pain and aching limbs, easing muscle strain, healing cuts, treating cold and congestion, and drawing toxins from the body.
I add a couple of drops of Lavender essential to my bath too!
3. Take a walk! Nothing beats a nice long walk when you’re stressed and need some alone time. There are so many benefits to walking so bundle up (if it’s cold where you live) and get moving!
4. Swap it Out! Line your shelves and your refrigerator with good food choices. I know I’m going to eat some sweets during the holidays but I don’t keep them in my kitchen.
I try to have some healthy snacks around that I can grab. (My best tip is just don’t buy the junk food! Out of sight, out of mind.)
Right now, I’ve been on a celery and peanut butter kick. I like earth balance peanut butter!
5. Plan Ahead. This one gets me every time but planning ahead can make a huge difference in our stress level.
Start shopping now (unless you’re done, and then I don’t like you. 🙂 ). Keep a calendar and write down all the activities you have during November and December. It helps me to see it!
I also use Stress Away essential oil to help reduce nervous tension. I need to bathe in it during the holidays!! Ha!
What are some of your favorite ways to incorporate healthy habits into the holidays?
It’s funny how oils become such a part of your life. If I’m feeling stressed, my husband will ask me, “Cyndi have you used your oils today?”
Colt, my grandson, is constantly wanting an oil. If he has a scrape, a cough, a sneeze, he’ll say, “Cici, I think I need some oil.”
They really have become a huge part of my everyday routine and I love using them!
If you’re interested in essential oils, I would love to help you get started on that healthy journey. You can sign up here. As a wholesale member, you’ll select one of these kits to get started!
What kit do you recommend?
I definitely recommend the premium starter kit with one of the diffusers. And you have 4 different diffuser options to choose from when you order your new kit! ( I chose the $160 kit and love it!)
This month, if you sign up as a wholesale member (which means you get the oils at a discount, you don’t have to sell them) I’m offering a comprehensive reference guide to use essential oils and a 15ml bottle of Lemon Oil (my favorite one to add to my water.
Beauty For the Heart~~The BEST way to remember the season is to focus our hearts on Christ. So many times we think we don’t have time to read scripture. But honestly, that part of our day is the most important part!
Take time today to start preparing your heart for Thanksgiving by reading scriptures on thankfulness.
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. Colossians 3:15-17
Have a blessed day!
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Hi Cindy,
I’d like to add three things that I’ve been doing for the past few years that have helped.
One-water, water, water! this really helps to keep you full, flush out the junk and keep everything hydrated (my lips aren’t as chapped as they used to be 🙂 I add lemon oil to my water and that helps me enjoy it and drink more.
Two-yogurt! I eat plain greek yogurt almost twice a day, I just use it like sour cream and cook with it whenever I can. I CAN NOT tell you how better I feel and how my family and I DON’t get sick very often. I may just do a spoonful or two but it really helps keep everything going. 70% of our immune system is in the gut!
Three-exercise, I aim for 30 minutes 3 times a week, I don’t always get that during the holidays but I aim for it and give myself permission to not be upset if I don’t get it. Also, if I can’t get a 30 min. block of time, I’ll just do three 10 minute blocks. it really helps me remember to make time for myself and when I feel good I make better food choices.
Have a great holiday season and I pray for health and happy hearts for you and your readers.
God Bless,
JEn
I love all those tips Jen! I have tried the yogurt but it’s a good idea!
Hi Cyndi,
I love my Essential Oils, and at one time was stocked up on them, but now I hardly use them at all and have started burning candles and incense. I find certain scents of candles or incense are very relaxing. I am not the kind of person to stress over anything, though. My father gave me this part of his genes. 🙂 I love the Holidays! Normally it is only my hubby and I and our children…but, this year, I have been chosen to hold my side of the family(older sis and twin sis families and father) Thanksgiving here at our Spicer Valley and am very thrilled !!
Keeping an eye on my stress level, may have to get out my candles and incense… and some of my hidden oils ! Thanks for the reminder of the oils! I have them packed away. 🙂
God Bless you today !!
The holidays don’t stres me out , i love them and dont take on more than I can handle. I actually did Thanksgiving and Christmas for my extended family, but after my mother passed I asked my sibnlings to do it together and allow my kids , husband and I to have it to ourselves. Best thing I ever did!
I just began 3 days a week on the treadmill as I am trying to lose during this holiday season in preparation for my 25th wedding anniversary in January. This menapausal weight gain is the toughest.
Cyndi,
If I don’t have Facebook would I still be able to read your various articles on how to begin using oils and be able to ask questions if needed?
Julianne
Absolutely!! There are lots of blogs that talk about essential oils, and I’m always here to help!
Cyndi
Great post Cyndi! I find it always helps to be proactive, rather than reacting to everything in crisis mode. Planning ahead, especially when it comes to holiday foods, really helps set you up for right thinking….for as a woman thinks in her heart so is she! When it comes to food, I don’t just naturally assume I am going to blow it and gain 10 pounds over the holiday months. Instead, I plan for extra treats and ways to enjoy them without giving in and giving up on everything.
Shellie
http://www.thefabjourney.com
Great advice! I’m well on my way to finishing the Christmas shopping! One of the best ways to reduce stress is set a budget on gift-giving then start saving in January for next year. By November you’re ready to go and the funds are there! Putting the LORD first each day is the best way to alleviate stress rather it’s the holidays or not!
Great reminders. I am going through some family issues now and needed that post. Have you ever used Progressence Plus? I am trying to decide whether or not yo invest. Thanks
I have that oil and started to use it and then got out of the routine. I need to start again and see if it helps with my hot flashes 😉 thx for the reminder
Becky I use Progessence + everyday, twice a day. I put it on the inside of my arms. I Love that oil!
Cyndi
Thank you for the good advice. I am a teacher at a Christian school, and this time of year gets so hectic! I try often to remind the kids of what the season is truly about.
I love these ideas and I will definitely do this… Thank you so much! I will do the peanut butter and celery for lunch. I was wondering….. Can you recommend something for breakfast as well please? I love all the advice you gave us today Blessings
Rhoda sometimes I get in a rut. But I love Kashi organic promise autumn wheat cereal. I add chia seeds and organic milk. Sometimes I will eat some organic oatmeal.
Not very exciting but it’s easy and I like it!
Cyndi
The most challenging part for me is the Wrapping.
I guess you don’t like me since my gift shopping is about done. I have a suggestion to make future Christmases a little less stressful. Right after this Christmas when there are so many sales, buy for next year. Have one central place or a container for the purchases, and keep a list of what you have bought for each person. I buy gifts throughout the year. My family and friends have teased me for years because of my planning. But doing this definitely reduces my stress and keeps us from having such huge bills all at one time.
God bless!
Great reminders Cyndi!
I think we have to daily and weekly make expectation changes during the holidays. We expect too much from ourselves. Daily prayer and discussing priorities with a spouse or close friends helps. I want to enjoy them not endure them!
I’ve never understood why people let themselves get so stressed out over the holidays…..I just simply refuse to let it be that way. I feel that if people are getting all stressed out over them, then they are trying to do more than they should, and their focus is in the wrong place.
Thanksgiving and Christmas are not about all this glamour and glitz and decorating and baking and dressing up, those are only things people “think” they have to do…none of that is the truth, none of that is what it’s about. This world has us all fooled into thinking that if we do all of that, our holidays will be perfect….not true…..These holidays are both about the heart.
I love this, thank you!
Robyn you are right. We put too much on ourselves and try to do too much when it comes to the holidays.
But I will tell you there are some stresses for people even if it’s just traveling to be with family, or having to decide where they will spend the holiday, or even for us, our church schedule can get hectic during this time of year.
Thanks for sharing!!
blessings,
Cyndi
I try to buy all year long for my kids. I order when things are on sale or when I get a free shipping code. That means less to do during the Christmas season which means less stress. I also like this method because it is easier on our budget. $30-$40 here and there throughout the year makes a difference!
I LOVE stress away! Mixed with coconut oil and rubbed on my neck and shoulders is a little bliss in my day! 🙂
I wish peace and calming smelled better. For me it’s too overpowering. I like the effects of the oil but it’s hard to tolerate the smell. I can’t defisue it for that reason. At least if I put some on my the scent wears away quickly.
About a year ago I purchased the premium kit and it was so worth the money. The oils in that kit have really developed my knowledge and use of oils. My son (8) is like Clot, always telling me he needs an oil. I love it! Sometimes I don’t think to use an oil and he reminds me which forces me to try new things.
I love my oils too. I will definitely have to use Stress Away during the holiday season. I can not use Peace and Claiming at night. I think it keeps my mind going because I am relaxed and think of different things. I usually use lavender and cedarwood or the allergy trio to diffuse at night to help sleep.
Wow, I love peace and calming but I love lavender and cedarwood too! 🙂
Blessings,
Cyndi
I agree with staying Healthy Spiritually and Physically. I was trying to do both this morning on the treadmill. Worshipping the Lord then down I went. I’m ok and had to laugh.. I must have really been in the moment. Thank you Cyndi for all your fashion advice and little messages from the Lord. Have a blessed day…
I hope you’re okay Robin!!
To stay healthy and active, I make a private Facebook group page and include any of my friends that are interested, called a Holiday Streak challenge. No, it’s not what you may think, brrrrr….! What it is is each day from Thanksgiving Day until New Year’s Day you commit to running or walking at least 1 mile each day (outside or treadmill). What generally happens is that if you are already doing one mile, you will be motivated to do more. Some days one mile is all you will have time for and that’s ok. You could modify the challenge however you like, maybe say you have to do some form of exercise for at least 15 minutes? Your choice! Then you comment what you did on the group page to hold yourself accountable. It’s fun and challenging! May not LOSE weight but pretty much guaranteed you won’t gain!
What a wonderful idea!!!
I hope you still like me when I tell you I’m over half way finished with my Christmas shopping. 😊 I can get in such a tizzy during the holidays that having gifts bought, wrapped and sometimes mailed before Thanksgivng makes my life less stressful. I can then totally focus on the real reason for the season.
These are great reminders. Thank you! I love #2 and I need to start doing that more. How much epsom salt do you use?
Hey Karla, I use about a cup of epsom salt. I love these baths!
cyndi