How to stay calm, focused, and fit during the holiday season

These strategies will help make the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s easier to navigate.

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year, full of family gatherings, heaping plates of food, and plenty of temptation to stay curled up on the couch. It’s also the most stressful season for many, a period in the calendar when it’s easy to lose your routine, fall back on your fitness, and let your anxiety get the best of you.

Although we can’t promise any quick fixes for your holiday blues, we can offer a few St. Louis-specific suggestions that will get you out and about, get your blood pumping, and get your body and mind calibrated for a happy and healthy new year.

Eat mindfully

Holiday gatherings are fun and important, and you should be sure to savor the time spent with your loved ones. And yet, those spirited seasonal events also present lots of chances for you to mindlessly graze on cookies and snacks. Before you know it, you’ve eaten more sweets in one sitting than you have all month.

In between holiday breaks, take advantage of some of the healthy options around town. There are several ways to get a good, healthy meal without having to work hard to make it—or spend lots of money to obtain it. These St. Louis-based prepared food services will either deliver nutritious meals straight to your door or have them ready for a hassle-free pickup.

Although winter is on the horizon, there is still an easy way to grab seasonal fruits and vegetables from around the region. Tower Grove Park is hosting a trio of Saturday morning Holiday Markets (December 3, December 10, and December 17) that provide easy ways to buy seasonal ingredients—and gifts!—from local vendors.

If you’re still recovering from an indulgent Turkey Day, Hello Juice & Smoothie is offering a Gut Health Reset Kit to help you get your body feeling well again. The selection of juices contains vitamin C and beta carotene to help you refuel.

Make time to be active

Not only are we smack dab in the middle of one of the most stressful times of the year, it’s also one of the most challenging times to keep a regular workout routine. It’s cold outside in the morning, and it gets dark earlier than we’d all like. But even if you can’t find time for a workout, there are still things you can do to be active.

Before you finish your shopping, take an extra lap or two around your local mall. Consider these distances when you visit shopping destinations in the region:

  • At Saint Louis Galleria, a lap around the first level is approximately one mile. A lap around the second level is approximately three-quarters of a mile.
  • At Plaza Frontenac, three and a half laps around the perimeter of the first level equals one mile.
  • At West County Center, a lap each around the lower and upper levels equals one mile.
  • At Chesterfield Mall, three laps around the upper level equals one mile.

If you’re looking for something more structured, Tower Grove Park is hosting the Frosted 5K family fun run and walk on Sunday, December 11 at 10 a.m. Adults can enter for $45, while children can participate for $25. There will be a hot cocoa station, apple cider, and photo opportunities with Santa and Mrs. Claus. There are plenty of other upcoming running events, too, including the Hot Chocolate Run on December 4, the Candy Cane Course on December 11, and more.

At home, simple tasks like raking and bagging the last of the leaves and tidying the yard are enough to get your blood pumping.

Don’t feel like you need to do everything

In the midst of all the hustle and bustle of the season, remember to be kind to yourself. Cut yourself some slack and remember that, sometimes, simply doing something good enough is perfectly fine.

Carve out some you time when you can. You might even wish to involve a partner and make it a fun, seasonal date. Barring any arctic blasts, the weather should allow you some chances to get outside and enjoy some fresh air. What better way to relax and step away from your stress than by visiting the Missouri Botanical Garden. Make reservations for the annual Garden Glow or go for a leisurely afternoon stroll.

You might also find it valuable to take a moment to enjoy a warm and cozy drink. These local coffee shops are among those featuring seasonal sippers:

Or, if you’d rather stay home, brew a hot cup of tea produced by a local company, such as Big Heart, Neighbor Leaf, Firepot, or Gateway Tea.

Find gratitude

Although we can’t tell you what to be grateful for in your life, we can share some of the attractions and perks to appreciate in the St. Louis region. These are things like:

No matter how you choose to spend the weeks between Thanksgiving and the end of the year, we hope your holiday season is full of happiness, good cheer, and as little stress as possible.

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