Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones!
​Putting up my tiny Christmas tree in my very own office for the first time was a very rewarding experience.  All the little ornaments and sparkling ribbons make the room feel so festive. 
For many of us the time between Halloween and New Year’s Day can be a challenge when trying to care for ourselves.  Too many items on the “To Do” list, too many sweets everywhere you turn, not enough time to exercise, too many parties with a few glasses of wine or other beverage of choice.  Like lots of people, I find it hard to keep up sometimes with all the activity this time of year.  Unfortunately, I also find that the first thing dropped when too much is going on is my own health routine.  “I don’t have time right now, I’ll do extra tomorrow”  “It’s raining today. I’ll go for a hike tomorrow…” “I’ll meditate at bedtime…ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz
I don’t have any magic cure for this.  If you do, clue me in!  All I can do is my best.  Some days my best is SUPER AWESOME!! And some days my best is kinda regular.  Maybe just committing to one thing that I can do and doing that everyday is a start.  If I can’t get 30 minutes everyday to work out, maybe 3 ten-minute walks are more manageable.  If I fall asleep if I try to meditate for 20 minutes, maybe I should drop it down to 8 for now.  Do I eat sweets?  YES.  Every year my sister in Illinois bakes the most amazing creations.  I am very grateful that she sends us a box.  I am also grateful that she only sends one each of each type of cookie so we all get to enjoy them (OMG! So DELISH!!) but cannot gorge on them because there are only so many.  It is perfect.
Some people are good at enjoying just a small amount of something special here and there throughout the holidays and that way they get the enjoyment without the guilt.  Others have to go all or none; but I argue that if you deprive yourself too much you will eventually cave and then you are bound to really overdo it.  Try everything but in small amounts.  Or just have one full serving of your favorite desert but eat it slowly and enjoy it and don’t have seconds…
Like many things in life, taking care of yourself is simple.  It may not be easy on any given day, but it is simple: eat healthy food, drink healthy beverages (this means mostly water), move your body around, and don’t put things in your body that cause harm.  Special treats should be treats that are special.  If you eat the whole bag of cookies, or drink the whole bottle of wine, that is not special. Not to mention how bad you feel afterward.  It isn’t a treat anymore if you have it every day.
Not easy.  Simple.
All the best to you and your loved ones from me and mine now and in the coming year!