'Tis the Season for Giving (inlcluding to yourself)

Most of us feel the anxiety and stress of getting ready for the holidays creeping up. We're worried about finding the perfect gifts, sending Christmas cards in time, hitting all of the holiday parties, and still doing all of the stuff that we can't normally fit in throughout the rest of the year.

This holiday season make sure to make some time for yourself. Because if you're not healthy, how are you going to enjoy everything to the fullest? 'Tis the season to give, but don't forget to include you on that list, which also means giving yourself time to still do things that are good for you.

I'm dividing the list below into 3 areas of concentration: mind; body; and eating.

Mind

• Be prepared for your shopping trips. Compile your collective shopping list, or list of ideas for the presents that you'll be purchasing. That way, you'll be armed when going into the stores, and spend less time wandering the aisles with the hordes of people, and instead make your trips more efficient. Go to the mall/stores early in the morning. There are less people out and about before noon, making for a more pleasurable shopping experience, and likely better customer service.
• Avoid the mall altogether, and do the bulk of your shopping online. Most retailers are offering free shipping and handling, and will also gift wrap your presents (I love being able to kill 2 birds with one stone!).
• Don't try and do everything at once. Although making a schedule may sound tedious and like work, ultimately, it will save you time. Think about all of the things you have to do between now and the holidays. Carve out segments of time throughout your day and focus on the activity for the specified amount of time. That way you're sure to 1) have time blocked off for specific activities, 2) spend less time trying to multi-task, and 3) have an idea of all of the things that you need to get done and, therefore, will have a better handle on them.
  
• Take the time to reflect on the spirit of the season. Relax, breathe deep, and express gratitude for all that you have and for the people in your life.
  

Body

• Stress less by working out. Even if it's just short spurts during the day, getting in a brisk walk, or taking the stairs will help settle your mind and help maintain your energy level.
• At the mall park far away from the stores, just make sure you're safe and park under a light in a secure lot. Again, you'll ease your stress in not participating in the frenzy that ensues with everyone trying to nab a prime spot; and you'll be secretly adding steps to your day.
  
• It's so tempting to push your workout right off of your schedule when other activities seem to be piling up by the minute. Resist that temptation. Keep your gym appointment, even if your sweat session is a little bit shorter than normal. It's important to keep your appointments to yourself.
  
• Some malls offer walking programs inside them during the early mornings or late evenings. It's a good way to be able to window shop inside the mall and not actually be shopping. You're there when the crowds aren't large, and are there for the purpose of walking....but then, you're also getting the lay of the land (mall wise) and getting to scope out all of the goodies!
• Take a cue from the stores. You know how they play that music with the beat that makes you want to shop, shop, shop?! Revive one of the play lists that you've not listened to in a while. Or, get some new tunes to keep you energized and wanting to crank out your workout. For play lists that you can automatically download to your iTunes, go to: Shape magazine's playlists.
  
• After a day of being on your feet pounding the walkways through the mall, give yourself a treat. Burt's Bees has an energizing foot lotion that puts some pep in your step. Give the peppermint foot lotion a try! In searching the foot lotion, I just found that they make a peppermint soap!!!! That should really rev you up!

Nutrition

• This is probably the least favorite subject among us during the holidays.... party after party, people bringing in tons of goodies to the office, the samples flying off the shelves at candy stores.....it's like running through the gauntlet trying to eat and drink healthfully during the holidays.
  
• Team up with some of your cubicle mates/coworkers who are also trying to eat healthfully. Make a pact with each other about not bringing in foods that will sabotage your waistlines. It's so much easier with the support of the people who you're around for the majority of the day.
  
• If there's going to be a potluck event at work, bring some healthy choices of your own. Enlist your coworker healthy eating group and ask them to also bring healthier options. That way, you'll have more variety and feel better about the choices that are available to pick from.
  
• Make only one trip to the buffet or table. Do a "test lap" first. Take a look at everything that's on the table and decide what you really want. Fill your plate up with the healthier options first, and then add the stuff that's on your "want" list. That way, you get what you want and aren't depriving yourself.
  
• This time of year instantly transports us to our childhood, where all of the sweet and yummy things make us feel right at home. Our friends at "Hungry Girl" have created one of their "Top Ate" lists of "better for you" treats, that still let you experience the holiday goodness, but for fewer calories!
  

• HG's "Top Ate" Holiday Favorites

  1. Alpine Spiced Cider, Sugar Free 2. Dreyer's/Edy's Slow Churned Light Ice Cream, Egg Nog 3. Vitasoy Peppermint Chocolate Soy Beverage 4. Starbucks Sugar-Free Gingerbread Latte 5. Amys Apple Pie 6. Miss Meringue Meringues, Peppermint Crush 7. Vitalicious Golden Corn VitaTops 8. Mini Candy Canes