IT'S DECEMBER!
There is no denying it now, the holidays are in full swing. Christmas music is technically allowed now, considering Thanksgiving has passed. We had our first snow here in Boise and I am not ashamed of how excited I was about it. Costco's treat section looks like the elves break room in the North Pole. And, if you're a student, you know that we have 2 weeks left of the fall semester, which means celebration.
If you're anything like me, this time of year is a giant, massive, messy crash between feeling festive, happy, and thankful while also feeling overwhelmed, unhealthy, and stressed beyond belief. It's probably been one of the most emotionally complex seasons for me since I can remember, which means, I've become the Expert On Experiencing Health and Happiness During The Holidays. Sometimes. Nonetheless, I thought I'd share some ways I am closing the door to unhappiness this season, and sprinting through the door to health and happiness.
First and foremost, we half to talk about health. I think health and happiness coexist very nicely together.
1. It's Christmas Time, which also means, it's Cookie and Hot Cocoa Time. It's nice at first to have an excuse to eat yummy food the entire month of December. But after a while, it catches up to you and you end up feeling tired and 10 lbs. heavier. So, here are some DELICIOUS (I've made them all and they are, really!) alternatives to Holiday treats.
MINI ANGEL FOOD PROTEIN CAKES
Source: Tone It Up
Mine turned out super yummy, and next time I make them, I think I'll whisk together a little topping! Maybe pumpkin spice mixed in with some cream cheese.
CHOCOLATE ALMOND DATE BITES
These are my mom's very favorite of my healthy alternatives.
These are like little truffles, and you can feel way better about popping one or two or six in your mouth instead of actual chocolates ;)
There are so many, many more recipes like this one on toneitup.com, along with workouts and fit tips! I live off of their recipes and use their protein powder every single day!
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Okay, on to the second component, happiness.
2. It's COLD. You're always COLD. You know what else is cold? Sadness. Sadness wants you to stay up all night thinking about your To-Do list and your finals, your grades, everyone who won't be around for the holidays, and how you're STILL single and your family is going to keep asking you why you're STILL single. See what happened there? We let dreariness send us down a spiral of despair, and there, it is so easy to cuddle up, stay in, and bake a batch of cookies.
Like I said before, I really think happiness and health are linked together. If you find yourself gloomy and cold, what better way to warm up and release some happy endorphins than a workout? Take a friend, and afterwards, reward yourself with a warm sauna and a date bite!!
I also am a huge list maker. Whenever I feel like I'm letting sadness spiral me into the black, cold hole of no return, I dig myself out by listing out anything and everything I can that will better my future self.
Make a list: Who do I want to be tomorrow? How can I get there?
I try to make plausible and small steps that will get me there. I can go on a run this afternoon. I can send a friend a nice message. I can finish all of my homework and make a nutritious dinner.
During the holidays, when everything is busy, the very best advice I have for health and happiness is this: make your goals small and doable. No New Year's resolution lists, at least not yet. You don't need to change everything, and you won't be able to in just one month. But you can change a lot in one month, and you can achieve health and happiness every single day. It's more of a choice, a bundle of everyday choices, that will lead you there.
Be healthy, be happy, and be festive! After all, it is the giving season. So, give yourself this.
xoxo
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