‘Tis the season for a whole lotta eating, drinking, and all-around merriness!

‘Tis the season for a whole lotta eating, drinking, and all-around merriness! This isn’t another “how to survive the holidays” guide. We’re talking the holidays people, not jury duty! So what are we to do?! Here’s what: eat, drink, and be merry and mindful! Don’t just “survive,” ENJOY! The holidays come around once a year and it’s time to celebrate! Here are a few helpful holiday tips:

1. Focus on what it’s really about: FAMILY. Aren’t the holidays all about spending time with the ones we love? Sometimes we forget that and before we know it, we’re back at work and school in the blink of an eye. Do the shopping, cooking, or baking together to turn busy work into family time. Unplug from the outside world for a bit and allow yourself to enjoy these moments together.

2. Indulge. If you’re all about those Christmas cookies, enjoy a cookie or two. If you’ve been waiting all year for egg nog, have a cup of the good stuff. We can have it, we just can’t have it all. Pick your must-haves and allow yourself to truly enjoy them. If you deprive yourself of the things you love, well there’s no joy in that, and you’re more likely to overdo it eventually. Just indulge mindfully and you won’t wake up with a Santa belly or food hangover. Just don’t forget the good stuff, aka good old fruits and veggies. Keep your body and mind well fueled so that you’re able to indulge right and feel good doing it. Make sure you have a healthy breakfast to start your day on the right foot. Have a salad before heading to a party and bring your own healthy dish or cocktail to share.

3. Prioritize YOU. Yes, family time is important, but taking care of yourself is crucial to your health and happiness. Although it’s a winter whirlwind out there, don’t sacrifice sleep, self-care, and the things that keep you sane. If you take on too much, you’ll be stressed and exhausted by January 1 and that’s no way to kick off a new year. Instead, focus only on the most important things on the to-do list and make sure that one of them is YOU. Whether you need ten minutes of alone time in the morning to get your act together, an hour to workout, an afternoon pedicure, or a drink with your friend to break up the family time, make it a must and you’ll thank yourself later. Don’t forget to give yourself a gift, because YOU deserve it!

One Healthy Breakdown: Eat the food. Not all the food. Drink the drinks. Not all the drinks. Be very, very merry!