How to Rebalance After the Holidays

You braved last minute shopping at the malls, did the holiday party circuit, you entertained family and friends at home and you made sure to attend the annual Christmas concert. It’s now January and you want to rebalance from the excess of the holidays. Here are a few suggestions to find your equilibrium for 2017.

Put Holiday Decorations Away

Put the holiday decorations away! Christmas is over and we’re now into 2017. It’s time to take the Christmas tree down and pack Christmas decorations away (unless you are celebrating Orthodox Christmas Day). This will clear the energy for new beginnings.

Get Back to Healthy Eating

Yes, the holiday appetizers and artisan cheeses were delicious, but it’s time to give your body a rest and cleanse by focusing on simple meals that pack a nutritional punch. We’re thinking Vitamin B rich leafy green salads with proteins such as eggs, chickpeas or chicken. Lean meats or seafood with rice and plenty of vegetables on the side for dinner.

Meditation

Begin or continue a meditation practice. After the abundance of the holidays, it’s good to refocus for 2017 by resuming your meditation practice to express gratitude and focus on the now. Meditating for even five minutes a day will help you disconnect from the holidays and produce a calming effect to begin the new year.

Pay Off Holiday Debt

You may have given your credit cards a major workout in December. If so, before you make any major purchases in the new year, make an effort to pay off credit card bills now. You don’t want holiday debt to linger any more than necessary. Paying off your holiday debt in January will leave you feeling mentally relaxed and ready to tackle new goals for 2017.

Get Back to Exercise

If you have avoided fitness activities during the holidays, gently resume exercise such as walking along snow-swept paths, yoga or gym workouts to burn off any pounds you may have gained.

Plan Free Outings

Plan inexpensive or free outings such as skating at City of Toronto rinks or going cross country skiing. Enjoying free activities will put less stress on your bank balance while you pay holiday bills. The Art Gallery of Ontario offers free admission on Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Carve Out Quiet Time

Carve out some quiet time to dive into that new book you received as a Christmas gift. Enjoy watching the snow fall as you are curled up on the couch reading by lamplight or the fireplace. Here are some of our recommendations for Canadian fiction books.

Here’s to a wonderful 2017!