Who else feels like they need a vacation after the holidays?
Maybe you're one of those who can take some days off following your return to normal. If so, this isn't for you...we all just want to be you. However, if you're the person who can't afford to take more days off in order to recuperate from the sugar and family frenzy, here are my 5 no- fail tips to a peaceful and restorative re-entry into your everyday.
I came up with these after much trial, error...and some tears. So often we come back from a trip and think oh "I've got so much to catch up on...I'm behind." Or "I've got no reason to take it easy, I just got back from "vacation"." Let me assure you, I don't know anyone who considers trips to see family/friends for the holidays a vacation. So just get rid of those thoughts and take a minute to really ask yourself if the way you've been dealing with post-holiday stress serves you or your family well. I'll wait.
Decided your re-entry routine needs some tweaks? Let's get started.
Step 1: Rest. Make your sleep a priority. This is as simple as making sure you go to bed and wake up at the same time each night and adding in a quality magnesium supplement. Magnesium is great at helping with glucose and hormone levels. Most people are super aware of vitamin D deficiencies, but magnesium is oftentimes super depleted as well. It is one of the few nutrients that need an actual supplement to make up for it being absent from the foods we eat.
Step 2: Refuse. Say NO. I know it's super simple concept. It's also quite difficult to put in practice. Not everyone has to ability to say no to the same things. But everyone always has the ability to say no to at least one thing that is stressing them out, just for one week. We put this into practice by not making any appointments for the week we return, and just sticking to a bare bones schedule. Keeping it simple also makes it easier for little ones if you have them. Again, I get not everyone has the luxury of saying no to things with work or whatever, but everyone has at least one commitment they can take a break from for one week. Trust me, your immune system and stress levels will thank you.
Step 3: Replenish. Eat warming, nourishing foods. Big surprise, right? Eat fruit, eat butter, eat bone broth rich soups, eat veggies cooked in good fats, like coconut oil and.... I'll say it again...butter. If all that sounds too fantastically unrealistic, just stay away from processed foods like boxed cereals, frozen meals and entrees...you know all the stuff that makes you feel super crummy. If you're unsure what those foods are, schedule a meeting with me.
This is also a great time to add in some herbal teas like ginger or drink a turmeric milk latte each night before bed, just for a week or two to help rebalance blood sugars and hormone levels. They are also great for inflammation, which after the gluten and processed sugar overload can be super helpful.
Step 4: Recharge. Get outside. Maybe your family is like one of those amazing ones that just goes on a mountain retreat or silent beach excursion for the holidays. If that's you, bravo. You have arrived. You can skip this whole post, along with the people who have excessive amounts of time off available to them. Enjoy your life!
If, however, you are an average American family, your holiday gathering likely looked something like this: Either virtual, due to COVID restrictions, or in person with lots of time indoors, bingeing Christmas movies and or scrolling the gram to avoid eye contact with that one family member who just always wants to talk politics or bring up the latest hot button fight or flight response-inducing topic. I was going to suggest being intentional about getting outside once you get home...but just writing that sentence out...let me just encourage you...get outside while you're with your family. Run around if you really need an endorphin punch to get through those super awkward moments. In all seriousness though, getting outside has so many benefits. Give yourself permission to get a brain break, walk outside for 10 min and take some deep breaths. Take a minute to thank God for the beauty of His creation, and that you're living and breathing with a divine purpose for your life in this exact moment.
Step 5: Regroup. Now that you've come to the end of your first week back home, take a minute to evaluate your schedule and time management. If you said no to anything, evaluate whether that "no" needs to stay in place for a while. Make space for some things you've been saying no to, to change to a yes. Maybe that looks like screen-free time or getting outside each day. Give yourself permission to really ask what matters to you, what may be missing. As always, if you're having difficulty digging through the muck of wellness and resolution pressure of the new year reach out, I'd love to help you simplify and begin your customized journey to wellness.
Kommentare