10 Tips for Celebrating Christmas in Health, Love, and Style

Happy Christmas Season, beautiful!!!

We are past Thanksgiving and there is no more reason to hold back the holiday decorations and music – bring.it.on! 🙂

It’s foggy, rainy, and chilly here in San Diego, and I am loving it – the smell of saltwater is in the humid air, people are turning on their Christmas lights to brighten up the gloom, and the whole scene feels so cozy and wintery! I’ve got my mocha in my hand – coffee, stevia, and unsweetened baking chocolate powder – and the Christmas music turned up!

I am so looking forward to this month. Many Christmas celebrations take the full 24 days leading up to it to prepare for, and I am not complaining! That’s just more time to enjoy and anticipate all that this month is about!

On that note, I wanted to kick us off for a holiday series on making the most of this marvelous month with 10 tips to celebrate the season in health, love, and style. I’ll spend the next few weeks diving into glamming it up for holiday parties, giving to others while maintaining healthy boundaries, and preparing our hearts and bodies for the incredible true meaning of the season.

But for now, let’s get ready for all the various types of merriment headed our way with 10 tips for body and soul health this season:

1. Let Yourself Rejoice.

This time of year can feel overwhelming – or, overwhelmingly emotional, with reminders of family tensions or the absence of those we wish were with us around every turn.

There can also be a little social pressure to express ‘how much there is to do,’ and ‘how stressed we are.’

Now, I’m definitely not pretending that there isn’t plenty that needs to get done and sufficient reason to feel stressed, but there is also so much to rejoice over!

So instead, let’s watch out for whining, and not apologize for our joy this season. Let’s use it to lift up those who are lonely and downtrodden.

And when you may be tempted to look at all the things that aren’t going ‘right’ this year, focus instead on the uniqueness of this Christmas: what is happening this year that may not in the future, and how can you fully enjoy this time in your life, knowing things may never be quite like this again?

2. Sidestep the Sugar.

It may seem impossible at this time of year, but trust me, it really isn’t! With awareness, preparation, and ways to soothe your soul that don’t require calories, you really can sidestep the sugar avalanche that defines the holiday season for so many.

And it is SO important to. There is no joy in slogging through the holidays with a cold – or worse! And it’s definitely not the time of year to battle mood swings, irritability, skin break-outs, bloating, unhappy digestion, or low immunity – all brought on by sugar!

Keep your cheer up by keeping the sugar out of your system this year! You will find everything so much merrier, believe me!

3. Bake Anyway!

This certainly doesn’t mean to not indulge in one of my favorite holiday activities: baking! It just means switch up your ingredients! 🙂

Baking stevia is available at many grocery stores these days, thank goodness, and all you have to do to find a way to purify your holiday favorites is swap it in for the sugar. Here’s a fabulous compilation of holiday desserts to get you inspired.

4. Protect Your Immunity.

I’ve heard some scoff at the idea that being cold, tired, and eating sugar makes you sick – ‘no, it’s the germs that make you sick!’

That’s true, and driving down the wrong side of the road doesn’t necessitate a car crash. But it makes it a lot more likely, so it’s wise to avoid it!

Your body is working hard to stay well, but it can only fight so many battles at one time. Trying to keep you going on less-than-sufficient sleep, keep you warm when you’re shivering in that dress that’s so cute you just can’t bear to put a coat over it, and then being dealt the six-hour immunity slash that sugar delivers is a lot to handle! Give your bod a break!

Keep Vitamin C with you, dress warm whenever you can and have a scarf or jacket on hand for unexpected chills, sleep and nap whenever you need to, and makeover your favorite treats! You will have the energy and health to celebrate all season long!

5. Intentionally Reach Out to Friends.

If you’re like me, this time of year makes you think of all the ones you love and maybe haven’t caught up with in a while. But this also happens to be a very busy time of year for most people, and respecting their schedules is a way to show them love as well.

Even if you can’t get together with everyone you’d like to, send a card, and reach out to at least a few good friends to chat over a fluffy latte. If you’re both tight on time, consider getting some of your shopping, decorating, or baking done together and catch up while you move through your to-do list.

If you have a group of friends that has scattered over the years and won’t be able to get together in person, host a ‘Google Hangout party’ and spend an hour together virtually!

6. Volunteer.

Whether or not you are able to get together with those you know and love, be sure to set aside a little time to serve those you don’t know and love yet. From choosing a child to sponsor for the season, to donating a toy or some canned food, to spending a full day passing out meals, there are so many wonderful ways to serve during the holidays.

If you’re at a loss for ideas, check in with your local church to see what events and opportunities they are sponsoring. I can promise you that nothing else on this list will warm your heart as much as this point – when you give, you really do receive double. 🙂

7. Keep Working Out!

When we’re running around like crazy at this time of year, it can feel like we don’t have any time to work out – and don’t need to!

But being sure to keep some activity in your schedule will actually give you more energy and mental peace and focus.

If you really are running around all day, some power stretching a few times a week is probably all you’ll need to keep your system humming, as long as you are eating well!

8. Spend Time in Festive Environments. 

If you have work to do, like Christmas cards to address, a family update letter to write, or you happen to run an online business – ahem – and the task before you does not feel quite so festive, pack a quick bag of the things you need and head to somewhere that is festive!

Coffee shops, malls, and beautifully decorated little downtown areas and village shops are great places for this! Grab a cuppa, watch the shoppers bustling by, tap your foot to the holiday tunes, and your work will be done in no time!

9. Decorate Your Space.

Whatever your current living space may look like, a few lights, candles, and a little greenery goes a long way! If you are in transition like we are, not busting out the full assortment of decor makes sense, but still put out a few candles and a Poinsettia to make your space feel like the holidays.

Not exactly in a mansion with a budget for professional decorators? I feel ya. But even the most seemingly depressing little space can blossom with a little love and creativity!

We aren’t allowed to have candles in our hotel room on base, as I learned after breaking that rule, whoops! And a live tree is probably out of the question too. But I have some serious plans for our little fake plants, and the flameless candles are already flickering, hahaha! 😉

10. Rest.

And finally, lovely, give yourself a break. Slip into a coffee shop and put your feet up and let your mind wander. Sleep in on Saturday. Take a nap after work. Getting enough rest will allow you to keep stress levels low, appetite in check, and show up fully for all of the fun the month brings your way. 🙂

Alrighty, there you have it! A quick 10 for starting off this month with energy, peace, and joy!

Now you tell me: how are you celebrating this month, and how are you going to add a new dose of health, love, and style into the mix? Comment below and then get to celebrating!

Love and Freedom,

Jackie 

P.S. Want more super actionable tips like these for loving your body and soul in a God-honoring way, all year long? Check out Body Stewardship!