The festive season is here! It is easy to find ourselves caught in a whirlwind of commitments, celebrations, and a slew of less-than-ideal lifestyle choices. It’s almost as if the impending festivities bring with them a collective amnesia about our wellbeing 🙂

From overindulging in junk food to sacrificing precious sleep, it’s a rollercoaster that often leaves us exhausted and falling ill right when we are finally united with our loved ones and supposed to feel merry and content.

The reasons are manifold: seasonal shifts, stress and pressure of the festivities we are to participate in and to organise for others, maintaining efficiency and productivity at work despite delays and overall chaos, weeks of too much low quality food, alcohol and not enough sleep – it all adds up and brings us down with a bang.

While we cannot entirely escape the grasp of winter germs, we absolutely can bolster our defences. Here are some practical strategies to help you navigate the pre-festive hustle.

Junk Food Junction:

Amidst the glittering lights the allure of indulging in sugary delights and salty snacks is undeniable. However, let’s pause and consider the implications. Consuming more junk foods pretty much guarantees sugar drops, cravings, increased inflammation in the body and, through this, anxiety, stomach issues, skin breakouts. Festivities or not – your body needs nutritious meals! Mindful eating can be our anchor: 

• Ensure your fridge is well stocked up with essentials, not just party food. 
• When going out – do a bit of research, look up the menu in advance, it is easier to make choices in a quiet relaxed atmosphere.
• If you know the food will not be of the quality your body processes well – eat beforehand, so you are not super hungry.
• Proper (minimally processed) food first, then treats later. IF you want them. 
• Always eat your veggies first.

Merriment and Moderation:

The allure of ‘FOMO’ (Fear Of Missing Out) can prompt us to overcommit, compromising our well-being in the process. Some festive parties you WANT to attend and others you HAVE TO attend. But our calendars are a reflection of our choices, and sometimes, saying ‘no’ is a testament to our dedication to self-care. Let’s channel our energies where they matter most and be mindful of our limits so we have energy left for the actual holiday and celebrations with the loved ones.

• Choose with your health in mind and learn to say no. 
• Hydrate between drinks – a glass of water for each drink.
• Aim to finish up with drinks at least 4 hours before sleep.
• Have a time to say goodbye – dance with abandon, and make memories that last, but always keep an eye on the big picture: having fun requires relevant rest!

Sleep: The Silent Hero

In the whirlwind of social engagements, sleep often takes a back seat. The result? Fatigue that curtails our productivity, adding more stress, making decisions harder, decreasing energy, increasing cravings, the list goes on.

It’s imperative to acknowledge that quality sleep is the silent hero behind our professional prowess. And prioritising rest is crucial, if you want to continue enjoying the festivities. 

• However great the party is, aim to be in bed before midnight, ideally before 11pm. Especially during the work week.
• Aim to get up pretty much at the same time whether it’s a weekday or weekend. This will help to keep your circadian rhythms clocking the right way. Sleeping to 1pm to compensate for the 4am finish doesn’t really work.
• Drink at least one big glass of water as soon as you wake up. Ideally make it 1 litre and more. During a normal night your brain loses 800 ml of water and replenishing it is essential. Party nights – more dehydration.

Power of Exercise:

When splitting between work, family and social arrangements it is natural to skip training but actually maintaining your training routine is the best thing to do when you want to withstand extra stress and pressure. 

• Adjust and, if needed, condense your training sessions but do not stop exercising during the festive time. Exercise creates energy, gives confidence and will charge you up.
• Train in the morning for a whole day boost or be tactical and squeeze in a quick session before going out – eating within 1.5 hours of exercise is best for processing nutrients!
• If you are not in the habit of training regularly yet, it’s a good time to start by joining your friends – combine socialising with working out. 
• Short online workouts are great when short for time.

In conclusion, dear professional women, as we brace ourselves for the festive whirlwind, let’s do so with intentionality – our careers thrive and our lives flourish when we exercise our wisdom. As the tinsel twinkles and the laughter resonates, let’s keep the pre-festive hustle a harmonious symphony of balance and celebration!