Like, love love love.
Both are conflated with a whole bunch of potentially harmful things.
(And I dont just mean for Santa.)
Antonio Rodriguez / Adobe Stock
Theres a discernible air of shoulds that permeates this time more profoundly than the scents of cinnamon and peppermint.
Youshouldwork out no matter what, especially if you have a food-laden party later that day.
Youshouldmakehealthier versions of all your favorite treatsor avoid them altogether.
Youshouldignore your hunger cues.
Youshouldabide by all the shoulds.
And if you dont, then youshouldfeel bad that you didnt!
Were should-ing all over ourselves, as Carrie Bradshaw once put it.
Honestly, its exhausting.
Over the years, though, Ive grown to seek and freelycreate joy through movement.
We so often let other peoples voices ring louder through our ears.
Check in with yourself in an extra mindful way.
Yes, you should be checking in with yourself regularly.
But since this time of year can bring conflict andlonelinessright alongside the comfort and joy, its especially needed.
Be extra mindful in asking yourself, what will bring you joy?
And then act on whatever that is as much as you’ve got the option to.
Maybe its eating your grandmothers homemade cookies.
Maybe itsjournalingwhatever youre feeling.
Or maybe its going on along runwhile everyone else is out shopping.
While this isnt only particular to the holidays, its exemplified this time of year.
So for me, solo exercise is something that pops up frequently during my self check-in.
Ask yourself to expand on the why thats driving your guilt.
Same if you feel guilty about making or not making a certain choice.
What or who is behind this?
And think: If you were to do it, would there be any joy at the end?
Chances are, theres probably not a lot of joy there.
If you better walk away from a conversation, do that.
Take the opportunity to switch up your routine.
If youre traveling or staying with friends and family, allow yourself the chance to do something different.
), playing in the snow, or just doing some at-homemobility work.
Let your environment and friends or family traditions help guide you.
Take advantage of new scenery and once-a-season opportunities if they present themselves.
Even switching up your normal workout timing to accommodate evening events or daytime to-dos (or awesome sunrises!)
can allow you to get the movement you crave without missing out on the joy.
Remember that language is powerful.
Not to yourself, to others, on social media, or to a whole group.
This is as much for group fitness instructors and trainers as it is for anyone at a holiday gathering.
Here aresome ways you’re free to dealwith these kinds of triggering conversations.
Tease out whats behind the unnecessary restrictions influencing you.
Use the mute button freely.
Speaking of social media, hopefully you already havemuted or unfollowed anyone that makes you feel badabout yourself.
to mute those accounts for a bit.
Limiting your time in the mindless scroll during this time of year can also be helpful.
Be as present as you could in your own holiday moments.
Remember that movement is a gift, not a punishment.
Whether you love or hate the holidays (or fall somewhere in between!
), you deserve to find as much joy as you possibly can at this time of year.
Joy cant fully come alive if guilt and shame are allowed to crash the party.
Move and eat and live in whatever way brings out the most holiday cheer for you.
And be good to yourself, for goodness sake!
