Happy Friday (Thursday evening depending on when you are reading this!)! This week’s theme is one I love talking about: ways to stay healthy over the holidays. I thought I’d flip it a bit and focus on five ways to destress during the holidays. For a variety of reasons, the holidays can be an extremely stressful time for folks. I hope these tips are helpful as the season rapidly approaches. As for my weekend plans, you probably know that I’m running the Richmond Half Marathon on Saturday (check out my goals and tips here) and I’m so excited for a fun, low-pressure weekend of running! Per usual, I’m linking up with my girls Cynthia and Mar for the #Friday Five. You can read our linkup rules here. Please note that if you don’t play nicely, we will delete your link. Go give Cynthia some love for rocking her last Triathlon of the season last weekend in crazy hot temps! That lady is amazing! As for Mar, go check out her goals check in post – it’ll resonate with you, I promise. My friends are great! Hope everyone has a great weekend!
- Go shopping. I know, shopping IS stressful, right? Wrong. Not if you go online. Come back here in a week for an awesome online shopping holiday gift guide to help you out! My main suggestion with this one is start early and start online. Shopping on December 23rd at 10pm IS stressful. Shopping at 12:30pm during your lunch break online on November 20th is fun. Stress versus fun, y’all.
- Get moving. There are so many fitness challenges during the holidays you can literally take your pick. There are also a ton of fun runs, themed holiday runs and the like. I always run a turkey trot each year and it’s worth it just to see the costumes.
- Take advantage of the season’s produce. We just joined a CSA and it is awesome. We get delicious and fresh veggies every week that I then use in our meals. I love it and fall is really such a great time for so many vegetables – try shopping what is in season!
- Go see a movie. If only to get the two hours of quiet time. With all the new cozy theaters with reclining seats, I am ALL about this strategy!
- Remember the reason for the season. When I get really stressed, I like to just pause and ask myself why I’m doing [whatever it is that I’m doing]. Thanksgiving is not about the perfect meal and Christmas is not about gifts. Remembering that helps me put the joy back in this wondrous season. Removing the focus from consumerism and putting it back on Jesus really helps me get in the right space for the holidays. A little Christmas music doesn’t hurt, either. And yes, I will be playing Christmas music in our house from Thanksgiving Day onward! 🙂
How do you destress during the holidays?
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Yes to #5! I love making and giving crafty type gifts as long as I make them in early December, and I find doing crafty things to be relaxing. Each year I make “Reinbeer” which is a huge hit with the Cruisers and my sons! 🙂
Have fun in Richmond!
Debbie @ Deb RUns recently posted…Staying Healthy During The Holidays
this is why we are friends… always on the same page 😉 have a lovely weekend my friend and good luck in Richmond!
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…5 Ways to Be More Present During the Holidays
Haha I thought the same when I read your post 🙂
I really need to get on the shopping thing – I still haven’t bought my one son his birthday present, much less his Christmas one. Oy! But I’m all stocked for beer. Priorities. ;o)
MCM Mama Runs recently posted…Staying healthy over the holiday
Lol. Hey – you deserve it 🙂
Great list of ways to destress! So true to get shopping done early and online! Online is much simpler than busy lines at the stores.
Sherry recently posted…Five Ways To Stay Healthy During the Holidays
Yep, a bit of online shopping always does the trick for me 😉 . Happy weekend!
Karien @ Running the Race recently posted…Five ways to stay healthy during the holidays
Love these! I’m a big fan of shopping no matter what time of year it is, so I’m all over #1. And I love #5! I’m definitely going to do that this year!
Kristen recently posted…Friday Five: Five Ways To Stay Happy During the Holidays
Yes! I agree 100%. These few weeks are completely stressful and it’s the most important to remember how to prevent the excess stress. The remembering the reason for the season is such a good reminder! Thanks as always for a great link up.
Lara @ Uptite Mamas recently posted…Five Ways to Stay Healthy during Holidays
I completely agree that the earlier you start the less stressful it is. I normally online shop for the most part anyways.
Hollie recently posted…Lessons Learned from Running
Great tips! I like shopping in Old Town – the stores are usually decorated nicely and you can find unique gifts. The atmosphere is more festive than stressful. Good luck tomorrow!
Coco recently posted…How To Make Your Healthy Holiday Wishes Come True
I love the movie idea. I need to rent a kid so I can go see the new Peanuts movie! I also think exercise is a great wasy to destress and I am all over online shopping as well. Have a great weekend!
Pam and Christine recently posted…Friday Five: A potpourri of running stuff
I especially love #5! Why are we doing this again?? I am a big online shopper. I also pick up gifts throughout the year. My in-laws insist on gifts despite us being grown and having no children. It used to stress me out but now I buy things when I see them and stash them for the holidays. It makes it a lot less stressful!
Have a great race this weekend!
Erica @ Erica Finds recently posted…Friday Finds: 5 Ways to Stay Fit This Holiday Season
Unfortunately, I actually do find shopping a good destressor. Unfortunately since I don’t work! And since I don’t work, I can go when it’s not crazy busy. But because I don’t work I do have to watch the spending. Don’t get me wrong, my husband makes a good living, knock on wood, we’re very blessed.
I love going to the movies and now is definitely the right time, but unfortunately I can’t leave Chester that long. He can’t hold it that long. I could go on the weekend by myself, but I spend so much time by myself already that it’s just not appealing right now.
But it’s just this year. Everything passes, so to speak, and this will pass too.
And yes, there’s always online shopping. 😉
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…5 Ways to Beat Winter Bugs
I really need to get a jump start on my holiday shopping at least complaining a list of what I want to get people. I do love online shopping and can’t wait to see what deals Amazon will have 🙂
I’d say one of my favorite ways to de-stress is going to get my hair done. Nothing like a fresh color and cut, oh and that scalp massage during the shampoo part! I also enjoy a nice car dive sight seeing all the Christmas lights hung 🙂
Krystal recently posted…Staying Healthy and Fit through the Holidays
I’ve already started my Christmas shopping. I have some small gifts and will start ordering the bigger gifts. I’ll let the vendors ship the gifts so waiting in line at UPS or the post office doesn’t add more stress either. I just warn the recipients it may not be wrapped so don’t open it early.
Lesley recently posted…Healthy Holidays
Yes for online shopping! No temptations around. Every time I’m at the mall holiday shopping, I want to buy a Starbucks or a pretzel or something.
Kaleigh @ TheFitTea recently posted…Five Ways To Stay Healthy During The Holidays
All great tips, especially for someone who is already dreading getting ready for the holidays! Best of luck this weekend, I hope you have a great race!
Shopping online is pretty much the only way I shop any more. So much less stress. And I love the movie idea. I’m a sucker for those theaters with the comfy reclining seats.
Chaitali recently posted…Friday Five – Jingle Jungle 5k
i find shopping TOTALLY destressing, as long as i do it early. i usually make up my list of what i want to get people in november so i can slowly get everything done, and then it’s not a problem. my biggest source of stress for shopping is wrapping things! i hate doing it, so you can usually find me christmas eve, surrounded by wrapping paper and bags hahah. guess i don’t have it too bad in that respect!
brittney @ corral b recently posted…friday five: healthy holiday tips
This is a great list. I love me some retail therapy. HOWEVER, I totally hate it during the holidays. And movies… Yessssss to movies!!
Rachel recently posted…Track Friday: FAQs and What You Need to Know
Great tips, Courtney! I think we can bring on stress to ourselves so being mindful of the pitfalls is really important. I especially love #5 because you’re right! Keeping in mind what’s most important is a sure way to enjoy the holidays no matter what stress may pop up.
Angie @ Pace with Grace recently posted…Link Up ~ 5 Ways to Stay Healthy for the Holidays
I really hate how commercialized Christmas has become, especially with Christmas decorations already up in abundance and Christmas music being played nonstop in stores and on multiple radio stations. It definitely detracts from the real meaning of Christmas.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Friday Five – Potpourri v. 8
Yes, online shopping is totally where it is at! Truth be told I really only by small gifts for my family, Neil and I don’t really exchange gifts. This year we are going on holidays so that is our gift to each other! Definitely remembering the reason for the season is important too!
Have a great weekend!
Leana recently posted…Maintaining Healthy Habits During the Holidays
When I first read your title I thought it said “ways to dress for the holidays”…haha!
I hate shopping so online shopping is how I get most of mine done!
Two big movies coming out: Mockingjay II and Star Wars! Looking forward to pausing life to go see them!
My Friday Five this week was online challenges!
sarah recently posted…5 Challenges to Stay Healthy during Holidays
i try and do my holiday shopping throughout the year so when it is holiday time, I am almost done!
I’m with you on the Christmas music, Courtney; the cheesier, the better, too – ha! I worked in retail for a number of years and, while it did get old after awhile, I really enjoyed the old Bing Crosby classics and so many other “cheesy” Christmas tunes. They really get me into the spirit of the season, as well as following some type of Bible study. I’m doing the study on Matthew right now, with First 5, and I’m really enjoying it. I also have done quite a bit of online shopping already; Amazon and I are pretty tight this time of year – ha! Jonathan made an Amazon wish list and it has been so helpful. Hope you have a great weekend!
Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…Two Hours by Ed Caesar
Great tips! I always go see a movie on Christmas Day! A lot of movies come out that day and the theaters aren’t super crowded. My family celebrates Christmas Eve so Christmas Day is usually just visiting friends/ family!
I’m a huge online shopper. I hate crowds…I hate shopping…so it’s really nice to do the deed from my couch!!!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Interview with an Icon: Bart Yasso
Great Ideas! Shopping sites… here I come! 😀
Great tips all around. Important to keep the stress level down to make everything else of the holidays better.
John @ run. geek. run(disney) recently posted…Staying Healthy Through the Holidays | #FridayFive
Christmas music and christmassy candles keep me destressed and in the holiday spirit 🙂
Jen@Jpabstfitness recently posted…Things I’m Loving Friday
Agree with all of these. I have signed up for a holiday challenge and it definitely makes me think twice ! Thanks for the link up !
Karen @ Fit in France recently posted…Friday Five : Staying on track during the holidays