Is the Christmas Season a ‘Write Off’?

December is usually a time of year where our social calendars are packed with events, parties, buying gifts, attending festivities and getting out of the house (in Australia, it lands during the height of Summer). It can be hard to stay on target with work, health and financial goals. As with everything, however, preparation is key. In November or early December, draw up spreadsheets of people that you need to buy gifts for and how much you can spend – then you can shop for bargains early, online or in store, and ensure you aren’t rushing in a panic and paying top Christmas dollar with heightened levels of anxiety and stress. You can even research crafty ways of making gifts if you have the extra time and limited funds, too. Similarly, place the work that you want to get done into manageable chunks on a timeline for December, considering the extra social and familial commitments that you will be attending. Mark off the tasks once you have done them and you will not see your productivity decline. With health and fitness, this is usually the most difficult area – we reinforce the ideals that our clients have and how they are ‘part of their identity’. If you are wanting to be a healthy person, you then ‘aren’t a heavy drinker’, ‘will be getting up early for a run, so I won’t have too many’ or ‘would prefer a lighter meal’ instead of the deep-fried foods being passed around. Some great ways of staying on track are to eat a light and healthy meal before attending an event where unhealthy food will abound, so you aren’t starving. Don’t deprive yourself – enjoy the tastes of this ‘treat’ food, but you don’t need to gorge on it to enjoy it. Ensure you go at least one or two glasses of water for each alcoholic beverage you consume (if any). Dehydration is a major component of a hangover! Remember how good exercise makes you feel and avoid viewing it as a limitation or burden – the Summer months are a great time to vary your workouts; stand up paddle boarding, surfing, walks along the coastline, swimming in the local pool – you name it! Make it a social event to catch up with friends, if possible! December does not need to be a ‘write off’ – keep making each day count!