A MizFit’s guide to navigating Christmas.

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Some last minute flashback tips for mitigating, navigating and tolerating all the impending Christmas chaos.

Please to add your tip and suggestions below.

  • Reread this. Thanksgiving? Hanukkah? All the major holidays? Bring the same sorta stress. It’s a good thing, People. We can reuse old posts tactics!
  • Have low expectations. While this may sound silly or even negative—it really works. Keeping your expectations low (or, more aptly put realistic) places far less pressure on you *and* those around you. Aim for a simple, enjoyable holiday, rather than hopestriving for crazy, shocking unmitigated rapture. Decide that you’ll be happy if you have a nice day with good food, friends, family and a few laughs. If things turn out to be far better than you’d anticipated it’s added bonus!
  • Are you playing host or hostess this year? One word: delegate. Ask for help both before and after the meal (this post might be kind of late for the helpseeking food-wise, but not for set up etc.). Dont end up feeling tiredtired over the holidays as a result of feeling resentful and unappreciated. Remember, even the littles can help in *some fashion* and, as a result, everyone will feel more a part of the celebration.
  • Make time for you, for what energizes you, and for what gets you good tired. Take a walk alone to recharge, take advantage of having visiting relatives who might wanna babysit (for free!) to recharge with your partner/spouse. Perhaps think about implementing behavior based bonuses during the holidays. Reward yourself not for pounds lost (or even maintained) but for remaining calm with the family member who knows (knew?) how to rile you up or for reacting in new, healthy ways to old triggers.
  • Fiber. Yep, I said it. Stay regular. Feel better all around. ’nuff said.
  • It’s not a competition. Dont allow yourself to get sucked into what others are receiving/doing/having this holiday season. Hell, all year ’round this is a good thing to remember. Let’s challenge each other to see who can be the least competitive. From our decorations to our fancy dinners to our array of gifts. Remember, we are AVIS up in herre and proud of it. This holiday season let’s all be number two.
  • Use relaxation techniques. Try meditation. Try deep breathing or focusing on your breath as a way to diminish anxiety or tension. Exhale your breath completely, squeeze your abdominal wall in an attempt to expel ALL from your lungs, inhale as deeply as you can. Then exhale slowly again. Do this three or four times when you are feeling stressed. Yoga is another great way to relax over the holidays, but the great thing about this exercise is you can do it anytime or anywhere.
  • Limit yer drinking. I know, I know but the more you indulge, the more likely you are to overeat, wake up with a hangover, or blurt out what you think of your great aunt’s new young’ inappropriate boyfriend.
  • Plan a treat for after you sail successfully through the holiday frazzle. Whether this is a reward for sticking to your food plan or for making it though Christmas dinner without screaming at your mother–pre-plan something to which you can look forward. If need be make this treat your mantra. Nothing makes pie you dont really love less alluring than knowing you have a spa day booked should you be able to resist.

There you go, People.

That’s what Ive got for you as far as tips to make it through the next week or so.

And remember, as Vince Vaughn says in the piece of cinematic wonderment which is Four Christmases: you cant spell families without the lies.

(No, I have absolutely no real point with that quote. V-squared just makes me freakin laugh.)

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Comments

  2. Aim for a simple, enjoyable holiday, rather than hopestriving for crazy, shocking unmitigated rapture.
    ————-
    Amen.

  5. I need to remember it isn’t a competition.

    When my extended family gets together it seems eveything becomes a competition.

    Happy holidays Miz!

  6. V Squared is my other super secret boyfriend!

    Great tips for the holidays – especially the one about managing expectations. Relax and go with the flow. Picture perfect holidays only exist in Hallmark land. The rest of us worry about fiber – love that!

  7. Thank you for your interesting perspective….

    Okay, just being silly here! I re-read the one from Thanksgiving, and thought I would memorize THAT one… so was trying it out, LOL!!

    Good ideas, really. No, really! 🙂
    Loretta
    =^..^=

  8. Ugh, delegate. I’m so bad at that one! I’d love to learn to meditate, too. I know it takes a lot of practice to get good at it, but even a few minutes of deep breathing would be beneficial!

    Happy Holidays, Carla! Big hugs to you, Tornado and RenMan!

  9. I heart you even more than I heart V-squared!

    I have made holidays with as little stress as possible – mostly I avoid the family that is just negative and I enjoy it all sooo much more!

    Much Love my loverly friend!! XOX

  10. Thanks.

    I needed this.

    I was a ball of stress this week and had a moment of pure peace when I stopped, took a deep breath and realized holiday stress was probably not what God had intended for us this time of year.

    Now I’m off to make that post-Christmas spa appointment. 😉

  11. Great tips! As soon as I read the one about fiber I thought about – hydrate!! The busier I am and the more holiday crap I eat, the less water I drink too, somehow.

  12. I’m leaning heavily on the “low expectations” one this year. Christmas is going to come if I’m ready or not, so knowing I’ll be all freaked if I don’t have everything ready, I’m reducing the amount of everything that has to get done. So far it’s working like a charm.

  14. Love the list Carla!!! This year will be pretty much low key celebrating for the Xmas side of the family. I have one semi stressful event that I am going to just let it go & whatever happens, happens… and if it cause too much pain for me.. I will work that out in my consistency workouts! 😉

  16. Going for walks alone is major for me.

    It’s so important to remember that this is a happy time of year – to relax and enjoy it. To have fun and PLAY 🙂

  17. Amen. I did some yoga and meditation last night. So much better. Think I’m going to have to fit a little in EVERY day until the holidays are over with.

  18. Today, I am not working (retail at the holidays…what was I thinking?!?), we are having our gingerbread house decorating throwdown, and I plan on enjoying the day.

    Oh, you should go read my blog post today!

  19. I completely agree. You know we put so many expectations on the holidays and hold them to a standard they can’t possibly live up to, just let go and let them be and create their own identity. Each holiday season should be unique and not try to clone some ghost of holiday seasons past.

  20. Yes.
    For me the biggest things has been remembering it is OK to say no. This year I’ve turned down a few things that would have been fun, but made me crazy. I opted instead for time with my husband and relaxing. Some of my family quest for the “perfect” holiday and relaxation and it’s exhausting to watch.
    I don’t need perfection…just a nap 🙂

  24. Low expectations, protecting my ME time, and not trying too hard to encourage the in-laws to change their minds and come stay with us after all . . .

  25. “Plan a treat for after you sail successfully through the holiday frazzle.” Love this. Also…take time to relax and enjoy. I mean, this is supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year”, not the most stressful, right? Everything doesn’t have to be perfect! It never will be – but it can be amazing!

    *getting my butt off blogs and running now, kthx*

  28. I like the list! I try every year at both Holidays to not get stressed out or worked up. The most important for me is finding time for some exercise while at Mom’s.

  30. Wise words. I used to be a ball of stress around the holidays. No more. I shop early, I online shop as much as possible. I let my mom and my aunt host because they love it. I plan and prepare ahead for days we are going somewhere. Such a better time for all.

  33. Fiber!!! Hands-down the best holiday tip I’ve heard this season! Nothing ruins the fun like constipation! (As an IBS sufferer I know of which I speak). I also love your delegation tip. Since I’m playing hostess this year I need to think more about that one. Love you!

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