The holiday season can be a whirlwind of celebrations, family time, and festive treats. While these moments bring joy, they can also introduce stress and overwhelm. Instead of falling into the trap of rigid health rules, consider a mindful approach to holiday wellness—one that nurtures both body and soul.
1. Reframe Holiday Eating Through Cultural Connection
Holiday foods often hold deep cultural and family significance. Shifting your mindset can help you enjoy these traditions more fully
Celebrate the Stories: Learn the history of cherished recipes and share these tales during gatherings. For instance, my grandma Betty’s holiday stuffing always brought our family together, with memories of her baking against the backdrop of North Dakota's open plains.
Preserve Culinary Traditions: Cook with older family members to keep traditions alive. I’ve started a recipe box tradition for my daughters, adding favorites each year. It’s a small but meaningful way to pass down memories.
Practice Mindful Eating: Focus on being present while eating. Use all your senses—sight, smell, touch, taste, and sound—to savor each bite. If you’re looking to strengthen your mindfulness, the Healthy Minds app is a helpful, free resource.
2. Create New Movement Traditions
Exercise doesn’t need to be a chore during the holidays. Make it part of your celebrations:
Take a post-meal stroll with loved ones—through a festive neighborhood or, if you're in the countryside, down a peaceful dirt road.
Join a holiday fun run or turkey trot for a morning of community, movement, and cheer.
Try cozy yoga sessions by the fireplace, moving through stretches while holiday tunes play in the background. Need guidance? Explore LifeTime On Demand Yoga.
3. Design Mindful Celebrations
Shift the spotlight from food to connection:
Host craft circles to create ornaments while chatting with loved ones.
Arrange a "wisdom exchange" where generations share stories and life lessons.
Play games that bring everyone together. From classics like Scrabble and Monopoly to lesser-known gems like Otrio, games can bridge ages and create lasting memories.
4. Practice Purposeful Pausing
In the holiday hustle, taking intentional pauses can be grounding:
Start your day with gratitude journaling to center yourself before the festivities.
Create a "peace station" in your home for moments of quiet reflection. Tools like BrainTap's light and sound therapy can help you achieve deep relaxation.
Use holiday scents like pine or cinnamon as gentle reminders to take deep, calming breaths.
5. Honor Your Body’s Wisdom
Listen to what your body needs during the busy season:
Recognize hunger and fullness cues without judgment.
Balance festive meals with nourishing choices that leave you feeling good.
Prioritize sleep by crafting a relaxing bedtime routine, like reading a new book. A visit to your local library can rekindle a love for the simple joy of reading.
6. Cultivate Meaningful Connections
Holidays are the perfect time to strengthen bonds:
Trade small talk for deeper conversations about holiday traditions or memorable experiences.
Share vulnerabilities about holiday challenges to foster mutual support.
Create device-free zones during gatherings to encourage present, undistracted interaction.
7. Sustainable Self-Care Strategies
Carry mindful habits beyond the holidays:
Begin each day with a moment of gratitude.
Take breaks between events to recharge.
Stay hydrated with festive water infusions like cranberry and rosemary.
8. A Different Approach to Holiday Goals
This season, let go of strict health rules. Instead, focus on how you want to feel:
Embrace activities and foods that bring both joy and well-being.
Prioritize meaningful experiences over perfection.
Moving Forward with Grace
Holidays are about celebrating life, connection, and tradition. By embracing mindfulness, you can find balance and create meaningful memories while caring for your health. Remember, it’s not about getting everything right—it’s about finding joy in the journey.
This season, let mindful moments, meaningful connections, and joyful movement guide you to a more balanced and fulfilling holiday experience.
Written for Calocurb by Dr. DelRae Messer
- Dr. DelRae Messer, DC, a magna cum laude graduate from Northwestern Health Sciences University in 2007, is a healthcare innovator and social impact entrepreneur whose journey began in rural North Dakota. She is the creator of a holistic weight loss program and an executive partner at Isagenix International, where she was named Woman of the Year in 2021.
A Harvard Business Leadership graduate and dedicated philanthropist, Dr. Messer has made significant contributions to disaster relief efforts and children’s mental health initiatives. Her notable projects include funding multiple relief missions, creating an award-winning series of children's books addressing the emotional impact of COVID-19, and co-creating 2,000 diverse baby dolls. As a working mother of two girls, she is passionate about empowering others in their health journey, believing that true fulfillment and well-being stem from belonging, connection and service to others.
