Routines: A Holiday Season Guide for the Mamas
The holiday season can be a special time filled with joy, fun, and cherished memories. However, it can also bring a never ending list of activities and TO DOs, leaving many moms feeling overwhelmed and stressed the F out.
As a mama coach, I understand the importance of maintaining routines during this busy season. Establishing a sense of structure can help manage the chaos and ensure that you and your family remain happy and healthy (which is our goal, right?!)
The Benefits of Routines
1. Reducing Stress:
Routines provide a predictable structure, which can help reduce stress. When you know what to expect, it becomes easier to manage your time and energy effectively. Our brain loves to know what is coming next so try your best to stick relatively close to your normal routine.
2. Promoting Healthy Habits:
By maintaining regular meal times, sleep schedules, and movement routines, you can encourage healthy habits for both you and your family. Consistency is key to ensuring that everyone stays on track, even amidst holiday indulgences. We all love the cookies and that is totally fine, but why not add in a walk around the neighborhood too? It’s all about balance after all!
3. Enhancing Family Togetherness:
Establishing family routines or traditions, such as a weekly movie night or a daily walk, can strengthen your family bonds. These activities provide an opportunity for everyone to connect and create lasting memories during the holidays and all year round!
Creating an Effective Holiday Routine
1. Prioritize Key Activities:
Identify the most important tasks and events for your family during the holiday season and let go of the rest. Sit down and make a list of each person’s Top 3 Things they want to do and try to incorporate as many of these things into your schedule as possible. Some of these activities might include decorating the tree, baking, attending events, or simply spending quality time together. Remember, you don’t need to do ALL THE THINGS in order to have a great holiday season. Cut yourself a little slack!
2. Set Realistic Expectations:
Here we go again, thinking we need to be everything to everyone at every time of year. Especially during the holidays, de mindful of your time and energy levels. It's important to set achievable goals and avoid overcommitting. Remember, it's okay to say no to some invitations or tasks, especially if they aren’t on your family’s Top 3 lists.
3. Involve the Family and Delegate:
Encourage each family member to participate in the planning process. This not only lightens your load but also empowers your children to take responsibility and learn valuable time-management skills. And it is OK to let go of some of the tasks that you might normally handle. I know that you might think that “no one can do it exactly like I can” and that might be true, but done is better than perfect and if it is will save you time and stress during the season - let your family help you out!
4. Stay Flexible:
While routines are beneficial, it's important to remain adaptable. The world won’t stop spinning if you miss one workout so try not to beat yourself up. Unexpected changes may arise, and being flexible allows you to adjust without feeling the guilt and overwhelm.
Tips for Maintaining Wellness
1. Prioritize Taking Care of Mama:
Amidst the holiday bustle, don't forget to take care of yourself. Set aside time for activities that rejuvenate you, whether it's reading a book, meditating, exercising or simply sitting by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa and watching your favorite Hallmark movie.
2. Balance Indulgence with Nutrition:
It's perfectly normal to indulge during the holidays, but try to balance it with nourishing meals. Incorporate plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into your diet to keep your energy levels stable. And don’t forget to hydrate!
3. Stay Active:
Physical activity is a great way to relieve stress and boost mood. Whether it's a family walk, a dance session in the living room, or a yoga class, find ways to stay active together. Your movement might look a little different while the whole family is at home and together for the holidays and that is ok, just try to incorporate it when you can!
Conclusion
The holiday season is a magical time, and maintaining routines can help you enjoy it to the fullest. By creating a structured yet flexible plan, you can ensure that the season remains joyful and stress-free for you and your family. Remember, the goal is to create a balance that allows for both celebration and relaxation.
Wishing you a beautiful holiday season filled with more love, less stress and ALL the cookies!
If you are looking for a little more support during the holiday season, check out my new program - The Less Stressed Mom. We will be working together for 4 weeks to create a customized plan for you to get ahead of your holiday stress and make a plan that actually works for you and your family.