I feel like the last couple of weeks I’ve been coasting down hill, running on empty. Like many people, my life has become insanely busy during the holidays and the more important things have been pushed to the curb or all together forgotten.
Often times I’ve thought of pulling off the interstate to refuel, but obstacles in the road of life keep me missing the nearest exit. So I chug along, hoping to make it through the chaos of the holiday season, my final destination without running out of gas.
Why is it that so many of us think we must keep up this frantic pace during this time of year? Well, it’s not too late to refuel. Here a a couple of tips how enjoy the rest of the season.
Slow Down
Did you know the faster you go, the more energy you use? The simple answer to preserve your energy. Slow down. Yes, I KNOW it’s the holidays. And each kid has a billion holiday plays, recitals, concerts, play offs, but don’t feel like you have to attend them all. Gasp! I know, bad parent alert. In my family if at least one parent (and occasionally a sibling) attends an event (since multiple events do occur at the same time) then it’s all good. So take a deep breath, reevaluate your speed, and slow down so you can make it to the next scheduled event.
Tune Up
This time of year with all the parties and goodies and baking, it’s hard to say no. Except to exercise. Why is that? Healthy eating and exercise always makes me feel good and energetic, and yet, when I need energy the most, I can’t seem to fit in what I need to refuel my body.
My exercize schedule has taken a back seat, and well, my weight is filling up that seat even though I am saying no to many deserts. What I need to do is make exercise and healthier eating a priority, especially this time of year. Just because I get to sleep in a little more, doesn’t mean I should stop going to the gym. I might not make the 9 am class, but I don’t have to skip exercising.
Drive Smoothly
It’s hard to avoid stress this time of you, but there are things we can do to lessen the bumps in the roads. I’ve already mentioned taking care of your body, but don’t forget rest of you. I created a daily work sheet where I fill in the blanks for all the good things I’m doing to take care of my body, mind, spirit (things you love or feed your emotions,) and soul (spirituality.) So if I work the plan like I should, I would be exercizing, doing something I love like reading, listening to music, dancing (which doubles for exercize,) and spending time with God. When I take care of myself and get what I need, the stresses of life are easier to handle.
Don’t idle
Oh, but I thought this post was about destressing and now you’re telling us not to idle? Yes, and here’s what I mean. It’s fine to idle, to rest, to refuel, but unfortunately, this time of year, people are prone to idling, thinking about the sad things, things that are lacking in their life, which leads to holiday depression. It’s okay to be sad, but idling, remaining in that state can put your emotions out of whack. So instead of idling in negative emotions, go back to the ways you’ve come up to take care of yourself and do those. Trust me, it will help get your emotions back on track so you can do what needs to be done.
And if all of the above fails…
Coast
Coasting essentially means to move and make progress without using power or as little effort as possible. It’s okay to put yourself in neutral and just coast for a while. Sometimes that’s the only way to get through those downhill moments. Don’t feel guilty for taking care of yourself and doing what you need to do!
Okay, so you’re doing everything you can to refuel during the holidays, but what if you stall?
Recovering from a Stall
First of all, don’t panic. A stall is bound to happen during the holidays, heck, a blown engine might even be inevitable, but you can still recover. The most important part of recovering from a stall is to remember to get going again. You might need to throw yourself into neutral or park right where you are for a while, but that’s okay. Take the time you need to do what you need for yourself, so you can be who you need to be for everyone else.
You might need to leave the vehicle (stressful situation,) get out and run away for a while. (My friend Danica is partial to baths and a good book, while I like to dance the night away.) That’s okay, as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else. Then when you’ve cooled down, you can return and restart the engine.
Navigating this season while running on empty is no way for you or your family to enjoy holidays. So when the road gets bumpy, and you’re just not sure if you have time to stop, remember, you’ll never reach your destination, which I assume is a peaceful Christmas and New Years, if you don’t refuel.
How Do You Refuel During the Holidays When You’re Running on Empty?