Holiday Harmony: Balancing our Lives, Stress, Food, & Relationships
Finding Balance During the Holidays
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This week, we had an incredible webinar with Skylar about Eating in Harmony with the holidays. Skylar brought up so many great points—and coping strategies—for enjoying food during the holiday celebrations.
Two of the points that resonated most with me was that of mindfulness, and setting intentions with compassion for yourself.
I’ve always believed in the power of shifting your mindset and creating frameworks to ensure your goals are achieved. Yet, I hadn’t connected the dots with navigating the holiday season.
Holidays can bring immense joy, but let’s face it–they can also feel overwhelming with all the expectations, obligations, and emotional dynamics. It’s the season of EXTRA and it can be hard to find balance.
A shift in perspective—embracing what’s possible instead of what feels burdensome—can help you navigate the season with joy and excitement, as opposed to stress and depletion.
Below are some strategies to do just that.
1. Set Boundaries
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Feel confident about setting boundaries.
Skylar said something awesome in her webinar about how boundaries EXTEND and EXPAND relationships. Mind-blowing, right?
The reality is, when you care about someone we often try to avoid hurt feelings and end up doing things or accepting things that cross our boundaries.
Then, we feel resentful, or worse, set up the ingredients for a full-blown explosive fight. Being honest about our needs and clearly telling people what works—and does not—for you is the key.
Say No When Needed: Remember, it’s okay to prioritize your well-being. Politely decline commitments that feel draining or unmanageable. A simple, heartfelt “Thank you for thinking of me, but I can’t commit to that right now” can set a boundary while keeping the peace.
Prioritize What Matters: Focus on the activities and traditions that genuinely bring you joy. Let go of the ones that don’t align with your values or energy. By choosing what fills your heart, you create more room for connection and presence.
2. Learn Body Cues
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Pause and Breathe: When stress arises, pause and take five deep breaths. Imagine each breath as a way to reset, creating space between you and the tension.
Engage in Mindfulness: Fully immerse yourself in what you’re doing. Whether you’re wrapping gifts or sharing a meal, savor the textures, smells, and moments. Mindfulness turns ordinary tasks into opportunities for gratitude and connection.
Schedule Micro-Breaks: Just 10 minutes of quiet can work wonders for your emotional balance. Use this time to reflect, journal, or simply savor a cup of tea in peace.
Pursue Your Passions: Whether it’s crafting, baking, or indulging in holiday movies, lean into activities that light you up. These moments can serve as a grounding reminder of what brings you joy.
3. Take Care of Your Body
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Nourish Wisely: Choose balanced meals that fuel your energy, but also allow yourself to indulge without guilt. Food is nourishment for the body and soul, and a little indulgence can be part of the joy. Watch this week’s webinar with Skylar for a truly enlightening perspective on approaching food this season (or anytime!).
Hydrate and Rest: Staying hydrated and prioritizing quality sleep both greatly impact your resilience. Think of rest as an act of love toward yourself—it replenishes your energy for all the things that matter.
Move Daily: Even short bursts of movement, like stretching or a brisk walk, can elevate your mood and reduce stress hormones. Let movement be a form of celebration, not a chore.
4. Have a Plan
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Intentions bring clarity and focus to your holiday experiences, helping you align with what truly matters.
Define Your Needs: How do you want to feel—calm, connected, or fulfilled? Let this guide your actions.
Plan Proactively: If large gatherings feel overwhelming, prepare conversation starters or arrive early to ease into the event. For dietary challenges, eat a balanced snack beforehand or bring a favorite healthy dish to share.
Set Realistic Goals: Whether it’s decorating, cooking, or shopping, keep expectations manageable to avoid burnout. Remind yourself: imperfection often creates the best memories.
Ask for Help: Delegating tasks like meal prep, gift-wrapping, or decorating strengthens bonds and lightens your load. Accepting support is a sign of strength, not weakness. I’ve found that it helps to be extremely specific, for example, asking my brother to make sweet potatoes, or asking my friends to pick up extra gift bags at the store.
5. Focus on What Matters
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Reframe Your Perspective: Instead of fixating on what to avoid, focus on what you want to enjoy. A positive mindset opens the door to more meaningful and joyful experiences.
Create Meaningful Traditions: Whether it’s baking cookies with family or volunteering, meaningful activities bring depth and connection to the season.
Practice Reflection: Daily gratitude exercises, like listing three positive moments, can shift your mindset from overwhelm to appreciation. Gratitude anchors you in abundance, even during hectic days.
Acknowledge the Awesome: Acknowledge what’s going well, no matter how small—a kind gesture, a peaceful morning, or a warm cup of cocoa.
Avoid Perfectionism: The heart of the holidays isn’t in perfect decorations or flawlessly cooked meals—it’s in the laughter, connection, and moments of togetherness.
6. Remember to Breathe
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Holidays are as much about moments of pause as they are about celebration.
Taking time to breathe, reflect, and realign with what matters most can transform your experience.
With a shift in perspective and a little self-compassion, you can create a season that feels as fulfilling as it is joyful.
Author
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Julie is the CEO and Co-founder of Rêve Health. She is a serial entrepreneur, accredited investor, and marketing strategist. She ran and sold a funded ecommerce wellness retreat company in 2012 and then started a strategy & transformation consultancy serving Fortune 100 clients. She has a Masters degree in Journalism from Northeastern University and a B.A. in English Literature with a Minor in Exercise Science. As a former Journalist, she is an avid researcher and reader. She enjoys hiking, biohacking, walking her dog, travel, wellness retreats, and watching sci-fi.
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