Surviving the silly season
Congratulations to you for getting through this year still standing!
What a year 2020 has been! It’s time to celebrate with colleagues, friends and family.
During the end–of–year rush, we know there’s pressure to complete projects, get out to lots of fun social events, and try and fit in a bit of shopping for those Christmas presents!
Here are out tips for getting through the silly season:
Be mindful of your energy levels.
Socialising every weekend, whether it’s in person or over video conferencing platforms like Zoom, can take an emotional toll. Be sure to put some time aside for you, to mentally prepare or recharge for whatever event you will be attending. This gives you the best chance of enjoying the celebrations. Also, if you drink one too many, or stay out a little too late, don’t dwell on it too much! Eat well for the days after, steer away from alcohol and get some sleep. You’re human and it’s Christmas!
Stick to your routine.
Do you walk the dog at 6am every morning to help you and your furry best friend start the day relaxed and with a smile? Don’t skip it just because you’ve had a late night. Breaking your routine can leave you feeling stressed during the day, so drag yourself out of bed (even if that’s a little later than normal) and into the fresh air—you’ll thank yourself for it and the early start will help you go to bed at a reasonable hour that night.
Prepare your snacks.
Heading out to a post-work drinks catch-up? If you don’t want to be tempted by the large bowl of beer battered chips and other friendly bar snacks, fill up on nutrient rich food before you head to the pub. Have a balanced snack with protein, good fats and vegetables to keep you satisfied and your hands out of the chip bowl. Our go-to is vegetable sticks with guacamole or a nutrient-dense smoothie with coconut milk, berries and a generous dollop of nut butter.
Sleep!
It can be difficult to maintain your sleep regime with consecutive evening Christmas catch-ups. Enjoying time with friends and family over the festive season is important (particularly after lots of isolation this year), however, think about setting a go-home time so you can be home and in bed at a reasonable hour. Doing this allows you to get a decent night’s sleep and help maintain your stamina and health through the month. Tell your friends what time you’ll be leaving so they can help support your decision and you don’t have to feel awkward about leaving at your chosen time. While this can be hard if you have FOMO, we promise the good night’s sleep will be worth it!
Alternate alcohol with water.
If you’re able to go out for drinks this holiday season, it can be easy to mindlessly down a few too many drinks while you’re enjoying great conversation and the fun of a Christmas party. Before you know it, you’re waking up with a headache and dreading the morning commute. Alternating alcoholic drinks with water (jazz it up a little with sparkling water and fresh lime) can help you drink that little less and stay a little more hydrated, while still enjoying yourself.