How to Avoid Setbacks During the Holidays: Four Strategies for Success
The holiday season is one of the most joyful, yet challenging, times of the year. It’s a time filled with gatherings, delicious food, and often a disrupted routine. It’s also a time when many of us struggle to stay on track with our personal goals, whether they relate to health, productivity, or finances. Don’t stress! With a few practical strategies, you can fully enjoy the holidays without derailing your progress. Here are four ways to avoid setbacks and stay on track.
Prioritize Your Routine
The holidays often mean a packed schedule, making it easy to sideline your usual habits. Whether it’s exercise, morning meditation, or meal prepping, keeping at least some of your regular routine intact can help you feel grounded. Prioritize the key elements of your daily routine that keep you feeling your best. This could mean setting aside time for exercise, even if it’s just a walk after dinner, or keeping up with your journal to maintain a sense of mental clarity.
Routines don’t have to be strict or extensive, but prioritizing them can help you stay balanced and resilient to holiday stress. When your regular habits are in place, you’re less likely to feel overwhelmed by the extra demands of the season.
Practice Moderation
The holidays bring countless temptations: rich foods, sweets, and late nights. But remember, you don’t have to go all-or-nothing! Practicing moderation is key. Enjoy the holiday treats but find balance. For example, if you indulge in a big meal one night, aim for lighter meals the next day. You can also focus on portion control or choosing a few treats to savor instead of sampling everything on the table. Save the desserts for last to avoid a nutrient-void meal.
This approach also applies to alcohol, sleep, and spending. Moderation allows you to enjoy the season’s pleasures without compromising your health, budget, or productivity goals. Creating this balance can help you start the new year feeling refreshed rather than regretful.
Enjoy the Holidays, Not the Entire Month
There’s a difference between celebrating the holidays and turning the entire month into a festive free-for-all. It’s natural to want to celebrate, but taking a few key days to indulge rather than stretching it into weeks can keep you feeling in control. Pick specific days or events for a bit more leeway, and stick to your regular habits outside of those moments.
For example, if you know you’ll have a big holiday dinner with family on a particular night, plan to stick to your regular eating and exercise habits leading up to it. This way, you can enjoy those special moments without feeling like the season has thrown your entire lifestyle off course.
Plan Ahead When Possible
With so many gatherings and last-minute events, planning can be your best friend. If you know you’ll be attending a party where food options may be limited, consider eating a healthy snack beforehand to avoid overindulging. If you’re traveling, pack some nutritious snacks or plan an activity that keeps you moving.
In addition to meal and exercise planning, think ahead for tasks that could pile up. From gift shopping to work deadlines, having a plan helps reduce stress. Planning for your loved ones is a lot of work, so try to get the whole family on board. Failing to plan is planning to fail!
Don’t Rob Peter to Pay Paul
The holidays are about joy, connection, and celebration, but that doesn’t mean you have to put your well-being on hold. By prioritizing your routine, practicing moderation, focusing on key celebrations, and planning ahead, you can keep yourself on track. This holiday season, make your enjoyment intentional— moments of meaningful celebration rather than a month full of indulgence. Your body will thank you.
Chris Wojchik, NSCA-CPT | Head Strength Coach and Certified Personal Trainer