Taking Some Time Off for the Holidays
It is the holiday season and although that certainly doesn’t mean that you should completely ‘let go’ it is a good time for your mind & body to get some much needed rest and regain some balance back in your life. Enjoy the time you have during the holidays with friends and family.
Its fine to already be thinking about next years: training season, workouts in the gym, new years resolutions, weight loss, etc. and to start setting goals and planning for what you want to do next year but probably shouldn’t be a priority at this point.
No matter what your ‘season’ is
I read an article by Scott Tinley that was talking about how if you take some time off between seasons (versus pushing yourself the entire year) you might very well be a stronger athlete (exerciser, weight loss, etc.) during next years season. Your body needs a break so give it the necessary time to rest and be calm and then start of your training season with 8-12 weeks of aerobic training. Your car doesn’t go to 60 MPH when you push on the gas it needs to shift through gears and so does your body.
Your mind needs a break
Let’s make a comparison to your work life. Do you remember a time when work was non-stop for a very long time? Long hours; little if any time with family or friends. Does this sound familiar? Do you remember getting to a point one day where you were exhausted and needed a big change because you’d pushed yourself beyond your capacity to handle that much stress? Do you remember feeling a little depressed? You were probably feeling a little depressed because you were exhausted and burnt out. What did you do to pull yourself out of it? REST, RELAX and TAKE SOME TIME OFF! This is one reason people get vacations.
It’s hard to actually know when you are in the initial stages of burn out but believe me if you continue to push yourself all year every year burnout doesn’t take long to become fully explosion. Why get yourself to that point? Yes it’s scary but why not take a little time off and rejuvenate yourself so you are fully ready to push yourself next year!
This does not mean you are going to rest, relax and take time off forever
Ironically, athletes, exercisers, weight loss, emotional eating and eating disordered people all fear gaining weight and losing control during the holiday season.
I know that people are sometimes afraid to take time off because they are afraid they might never come back or that they are going to gain weight. This is a common and valid fear.
The reality is that you are in control of your own destiny holiday or no holiday and are more than capable to take care of yourself in whatever way is necessary.
The fear of gaining weight
Bears hibernate for a number of reasons but during that time they store food and gain weight for the same reasons humans need to: because our bodies need it (some of it). This does not mean you can eat endlessly and be OK when you begin working out and training again. It means your body needs a little more food in the winter. It’s ok to eat a little more and perhaps eat food you’ve restricted yourself from during the season. It’s all part of the “hibernative” process.
Please do not email me in a couple of months saying I told you to eat whatever you wanted, no I am not saying that. Moderation is still important but so is living, relaxing and enjoying the holidays; for your body and your mind.
Give yourself the gift this season of a little time off. Make it a positive thing! During the Fall & Winter months allow yourself some much needed time with family & friends. Allow your body a chance to hibernate and sleep in and let your mind be calm. Utilize your mind in other ways for other things.
This does not mean you can’t/shouldn’t begin thinking about your ‘next season’ but do it with some finesse and flair. Be in the initial stages of your planning by thinking about your goals for next year including your physical and mental plan for next year. Now is the time for you to begin preparation and in that very smart preparation stage, now is the time to allow your mind and body a chance to rest and relax.
Happy Monday & Happy Thanksgiving!
Dr. Michelle
Photo credit: vitaminsea.typepad.com
