Have you been feeling pressured to meet for cocktails, cookies, and other less than healthy fare during this busy holiday season? Feel like you’ve been cheating on your diet, and giving up the healthy habits you worked so hard to cultivate?
Getting together with friends and family for season gatherings doesn’t have to be a recipe for excess or disaster. Don’t make it an excuse to make unhealthy choices. Here are some brain and heart healthy things you can share to benefit everyone’s mind, body and soul.
Massage Meetup
Send messages of good cheer, and invite some friends for a “spa day”. Have relaxing professional massages and your choice of personal pampering. Pick from cleansing facials, body wraps, sauna time, etc.
Sing Together
This is one of my personal favorites. It doesn’t take much to make me want to sing, and there are so many benefits. It’s exercise for your lungs. You’re practicing breath control without even thinking about it, not unlike meditation. Take in a deep breath and you’re inhaling oxygen which nourishes and heals your entire body. Blending voices in harmony spreads positive feel good vibes. Singing makes you feel great and it’s great for you. So put caroling and Christmas karaoke on your list of must do healthy activities.
Host a “Healthy Holidays” Party
You’re probably not the only one wishing for more healthy choices, and less fattening fare around the holiday tables. Yes tables — and they all add up! If you’re hosting for Kwanzaa or the New Year, make it a pot luck of everyone’s favorite healthy holiday dish. Think fruits and veggies, healthy proteins, vegetarian selections, less sugar… Relatives and friends will appreciate your candor, and they’ll be happy to accommodate.
Do Holiday Handicrafts
Did you ever notice that making things with your own hands helps you feel grounded, and reduces feelings of stress and overwhelm? Why not host a crafting party with friends, other parents, and kids? After all, they do it on all those Hallmark movies. (And I know, because I’ve seen most of them — more than once!) Christmas ornament painting, knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, woodworking, wreath making… They can all be enjoyable and satisfying activities that put everyone in a relaxed mood. And not to mention that everyone will end up with a special homemade gift.
Peace and Joy with Yoga
Yoga is a simple and enjoyable way to improve your health with stress relieving exercise. No, you don’t have to bend yourself into a pretzel. If you usually do yoga alone, try branching out. Make it a group event this holiday season. Gather your friends and go to the yoga studio together. Or, arrange for the yoga instructor to come to your place. Make sure you have a few extra mats. You and your friends can leave the yoga session with a yoga high, and a mission to spread Peace, Love and Joy this holiday season.
Need a yoga mat? If the party’s at your house, have a few extras available. Here are some highly rated mats…
Gaiam Yoga Mat Premium 6 mm Thick — it’s durable and lightweight, and comes in many print choices. See them here…
Better yet, pick up this Hello Fit Voyage Yoga Mat in a 10 pack. Everyone gets the gift of a yoga mat!
