While the holidays can be a wonderful opportunity to relax, unwind, and celebrate the end of another year, they can also be pretty stressful. What with the cooking, the present-buying, and the decorating, December can definitely take its toll. This year, the holidays promise to be even more difficult than usual — for obvious reasons. If you’re getting overwhelmed by the prospect of Christmas in the time of COVID (or just the holiday season in general!) we’re here to help. Here are some tips and tricks for surviving the holidays.
5 Holiday Survival Guide Tips and Tricks
Avoid Skipping Meals
The holidays can be a hectic time. You probably find yourself rushing around trying to get everything ready. If this sounds like you, our advice is to remember to take care of yourself. The first step? Getting enough healthy food!
If you’re struggling to find time to cook… why not try Boosh? Boosh offers microwaveable, plant-based meals that are nutritious, and, most important, super easy and quick! Not to mention, they offer comfort food classics like THIS hearty shepherd’s pie – perfect for cold, winter days!
And don’t forget to treat yourself to a few delicious desserts during the holidays — otherwise you may find yourself constantly picking chocolates out of that chocolate gift box, and overdoing it. Try our twist on a festive Ice Cream Sundae recipe for a festive way to satisfy your sweet tooth:
Ice Cream Sundae with a Holiday Twist
Ingredients:
- Mochi Ice Cream | My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream – Ice cream you can chew! This delicious ice cream is a great alternative to less healthy supermarket options, and it’s made using mocha dough. For THIS “sundae” we recommend the vanilla or salted caramel falvours – both vegan AND gluten free!
- Bada Bean Bada Boom – This amazing snack is the perfect crunchy topping to add a bit of texture to your dessert. Plus, it’s low in fat and high in protein, making it a healthy addition to your dessert.
- Organic Pomegranate Seeds
- Green & Blacks Chocolate; melted – On SALE this month!
Directions:
- Add My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream to a bowl
- Top with Bada Bean Bada Boom and organic pomegranate seeds
- Drizzle with melted Green & Blacks Chocolate
- Serve!
Choose Your Drinks Wisely
With the holidays often comes a tendency to overindulge in alcohol. If you’ve ever found yourself saying yes to one more cocktail because “it’s the holidays,” you aren’t alone. Ever heard of the sober curious movement? More and more people are opting to significantly decrease their alcohol intake and opt for alcohol free beverages. If you’re trying to cut back on alcohol this holiday season, try incorporating a few mocktails into your repertoire, including this delicious Apple Cider Mocktail:
Ingredients:
2 oz. orange or pineapple juice
3/4 oz. Ambrosia’s Own Apple Cider Vinegar – Apple cider vinegar has various healthful properties, including antimicrobial and antioxidant effects.
1 oz. Canadian Heritage Maple Syrup – On SALE this month!
1 piece crystallized ginger for garnish
Directions:
- Add all ingredients to a glass
- Stir until well combined
- Garnish with crystallized ginger
- Serve!
Dedicate Time for Your Daily Workout
Even though it’s the holiday season, try not to slack when it comes to staying active! While you should give yourself rest days and listen to your body, don’t treat the festive season as an excuse to stop exercising. Exercise will help to keep your feeling physically ready for what the holidays have to bring, plus, it will give you the chance to take a mental break and re-focus during the day.
Set aside time in your schedule for some daily movement. Even if you’re too busy for a full hour-long Zoom fitness class… try to at least take a 20-30 minute walk each day!
Create New Traditions
2020 promises to be a very strange year when it comes to holiday celebrations. For many of us, travelling across the country to visit our parents or grandparents won’t be an option.
While it can feel sad to let go of your old family traditions, use this opportunity to create some new, fun traditions. For instance, try arranging a family-wide Zoom call during the holiday season. Play some games over the call and unwrap presents for your family to see. Or, if you can’t meet your friends for a holiday meal, why not go for a long, socially distanced walk in the during the season instead? Get creative, and find new ways of coming together this year.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Finally, make sure you leave yourself at least eight hours a night when you can get some much deserved rest. Getting adequate sleep each night throughout the holidays will help to keep stress at bay, plus, it will also help you maintain high energy levels throughout each day. Remember, unless you take care of yourself first, you’ll never be able to help yourself and those around you have an amazing holiday season!
Trouble sleeping? Suro’s Nighttime Elderberry Syrup is made with Canadian elderberries, and is a special nighttime formula to help get a good night’s sleep!
