For many, the holidays bring special times being together with family, working a little less, and celebrating life. For others, the holidays bring hard times. Remembering lost loved ones, worrying about finances, and balancing day-to-day activities and healthy habits with food and drink heavy social events are some of those. Others are faced with having to manage existing stress, anxiety, or depression. Personally, I lost my father during the holiday season, which floods my mind with thoughts of who he was for me and the times spent together during the holidays.
Wherever you are on the spectrum of emotions, there are some things you can do to take care of your physical and mental health:
1. Write down the things you already do: One of the easiest ways to maintain physical and mental health is to stick to the plan. Take 15 minutes to write down the things you do that make you feel at your best. Then, anticipate circumstances that may get in the way and adjust. For example, one of my friend’s morning routines is to work out, take a cold shower, drink matcha and an athletic green drink, and then get on with his day. If this gets interrupted by visitors or altered schedules, he can plan ahead to make sure it gets done at a different time of the day.
2. Eat Well: Put simply, your brain is on 24/7 and it requires a constant supply of fuel to function. That fuel comes from the food you eat. The better the food, the better your brain will function. This can impact both your physical health and your mood. Eating a diet low in processed food and sugar, and high in greens and fermented food can make a big difference. Since everybody’s body is different, you may have to keep track of what makes you feel best. Check out this article from Harvard Medical for more information about food and the brain.
3. Think Moderation: One of my favorite figures of speech is “Everything in moderation, including moderation”. In other words, it is ok to splurge. The holidays are filled with fun smells, food and treats. You don’t have to deprive yourself of enjoying some of the things you love the most during this time of year. Just don’t go overboard!
4. Connect with Nature: 
Get outside, smell the fresh air, and be around nature…no matter how bad the weather! Albert Einstein said, “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” It’s a perfect place to think and gain perspectives. Even scientists are finding evidence of both long and short term mental and physical health benefits. Click here for 100’s of articles showing the positive impact of nature on everything from Alzheimer’s and ADD/ADHD to stress and depression.
5. Don’t Isolate: Being in community has been shown to increase your sense of belonging, social connectedness, and sense of purpose. Don’t isolate yourself if you are dealing with loss, stress, anxiety, or depression. Confide in the people you love and ask for help. If you are spending too much time alone, find opportunities to get involved in your community. Volunteer, go to community events, or invite a friend to coffee or a movie. Studies show this adds years to your life and wellbeing to those years.
6. Recharge: Humans are social creatures and the holidays are a perfect time to laugh, dance and have fun with others. But, don’t forget you have to take care of yourself too. Spend time recharging so that you can fully enjoy and be present with others.
As a parent, you can support your children in applying these same principles. Help them stick to routines that work for them. Keep plenty of good food on hand and decorate cookies together. Make an effort to do the simple things outside. Go sledding, walk the dog, or play at a park. This is a good way to get some exercise at the same time. Remember that holidays build memories and traditions that can be carried on for generations. Be part of creating great things with your friends and families this year!
Happy Parenting,
Dr. Shelly Mahon