I often hear people talk about how they always eat too much, drink too much, buy too many presents for their kids, and then after the holidays feel like crap. They have a holiday 'hangover'. It's a pattern they fall into every year, and while they don't like it, it's become their "story." But what if you were to tell yourself a different story? What if you thought through exactly how you want the season to play out? This can be a powerful and fulfilling practice.

Make a game plan and you're much more likely to stick to it.

Here is a list of a few questions to get you to start thinking:

Which traditions are really the most important and which throw you for a stress-ball loop?
How much 'junk' are you going to consume? Plan a 90/10 or 80/20 rule (meaning, 90% is healthy while the other 10% is whatever you like, but the rule is that you truly take pleasure and be mindful of it when you do!)
Which healthy foods can you keep stocked in your kitchen to have on hand for those busy nights?
How much water will you drink every day?
How will you prioritize sleep?
How much exercise will you get during this time?

Map out your plan and check in with yourself every morning as to how you want your day to unfold. There's a lot of research that shows the more you visualize in great detail the outcome you're looking for the more successful you'll be. How cool is that?!

And, to help you stay grounded, here are a couple tips:

First, you've got to acknowledge how you're feeling - unfocused, ungrounded, exhausted? This will help you to listen to how to 'feed' your body.

1. Eat more grounding food: high quality protein, high quality fats (avo, olive, coconut oil), root veggies (grown in the ground which helps make us feel very grounded - beets, carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes).

2. Move every day: it doesn't have to be GI Jane movement, but something that makes you feel good.

3. Get into nature! Personally, this is my big one. There's nothing more grounding to me than being outside, surrounded by trees, water, flora and fauna. Walking or hiking through the woods, going on a run, or even sitting on your porch with some hot tea and being mindful of the sights and sounds around you is powerful medicine.

I hope this is helpful to you. I can attest to the power of making a plan and writing a new holiday story. It works if you put your intention there.

Here's to the holidays bringing you (and everyone) joy and pleasure!

Stephanie