3 Memo Ways To Make It Successfully Through the Silly Season

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The holiday season is a time of parties, gifts, fun times, and delicious food. Presents need to be bought, cookies need to be baked, and gifts need to be purchased and wrapped. Besides being the most festive time of the year, it is also one of the most stressful times as well. And expensive!

With so many chores tacked onto our already overflowing “to do” list, so many social events to attend, and so many yummy treats to face, how do we get everything done, not gain weight, not spend a fortune, and stay in the holiday spirit? These are tricks of the trade culled from others who have gone before you – and survived! Put these ideas to the test and you may be surprised to hear yourself actually humming holiday music – when the radio isn’t even on!

1. Decide on a Budget

The time to figure out your expenses is before the official onset of the holiday season. While some people view it as Thanksgiving, right after Halloween would give you a good start.
Make sure your list is comprehensive. Include everything you can think of, you can always delete items later.
Start buying things early (and remember, it’s never too early!). Catch all the sales you can but the only downfall you might have to watch out for is remember what you bought and where you hid it.
If you have a large family, instead of a big costly dinner, why not consider a brunch and have everyone bring their signature dish. Remember, it’s the fun and the family that create the strongest memories.
Try as hard as you can to not use your credit cards. Wouldn’t it be nice to get through the holidays and not owe a thing? Check out those stores that offer layaway before the holidays. This way the store will hold your merchandise and you can pay on it every week, or month until it is paid in full.

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2. Keep Your Food Binges to a Minimum

Do not skip a meal because you are going to a party later on that evening. All you are doing is setting yourself up for a night of serious overeating to make up for the meal you missed.
Not only should you not skip a meal, you should eat a small snack before attending a get-together. When your blood sugar levels are evenly in place you won’t feel so frantic when you reach the buffet table. Protein is the perfect food to snack on as well and to start out with at the buffet because it does not affect your blood sugar so there will be no highs or lows to deal with.
Try to stay on your regular exercise plan as much as possible. You will feel in control of yourself and when, and if, you do indulge it won’t be as bad as you think.
Take in all aspects of the party – the colorful decorations, people you haven’t seen in a while, and the lovely array of food and beverages that have been so caringly prepared.
Once you have surveyed the food and beverage offerings, decide what you are going to eat and drink before you get to the table.
Live by the 80/20 rule. If you have been eating right and exercising most of the time, there are going to be a few times when it’s okay to indulge a little.
When you do treat yourself, enjoy it! You can get right back on the wagon tomorrow. Just don’t let it get away from you. We all know people who have lost lots of weight only to put it all back on, and then some.

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3. How to Make Them Truly Happy Holidays

Make sure you always get a good night’s sleep. Seven to eight hours a night will keep your body healthy and your mind clear.
Stay hydrated. There are many people who are too busy to take a minute for themselves to stop and eat or drink anything throughout the day. You can always find the time to sneak in a 15-minute break during an 8-hour day to have a protein bar and a bottled water.
You don’t have to say yes to everything. If there is an event that you would rather not attend, politely decline. It is better to not go than to show up with an attitude.
Try performing a random act of kindness whenever you can. When you are getting your coffee at the donut shop, treat the person behind you to a coffee and a pastry. Watch how quickly this kind of behavior spreads.

When you go out to parties or events, have fun. Do things you normally wouldn’t do. Pick up the karaoke microphone and belt one out. Dance like no one is looking. And don’t worry about acting silly – it is the season after all!

References:

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

www.virginiamason.org

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