Finding Balance and Rest During the Holiday Season

The holiday season brings so much joy - twinkling lights, cherished traditions, and precious time with loved ones. But between the travel, rich foods, and packed social calendars, it can also leave us feeling depleted just when we want to be our most vibrant selves.

This year, my husband and I made the intentional choice to have a quiet Christmas at home. After an whirlwind of work travel, celebrating my brother's stunning Costa Rican wedding with family, and hosting Thanksgiving for my in-laws (trading our usual snowy Idaho visit for an earlier celebration), my body was sending clear signals that it needed rest.

As someone who travels frequently both for work and to maintain connections with friends and family spread across the U.S., I've learned to recognize when I'm running on fumes. Rather than push through, I'm embracing this week as a time for deep restoration. My days have been filled with simple pleasures - losing myself in books for hours, taking long therapeutic baths, enjoying rejuvenating naps, and giving my muscles some love through stretching and foam rolling.

While I'll never say no to a good Christmas cookie (our recent baking party with neighbors was a highlight!), I'm mindful of balancing seasonal treats with nourishing foods. Fresh juices, plenty of rest, and working with a hormone and nutrition specialist have helped me feel energized rather than depleted.

Movement remains a key part of my routine, but I'm choosing gentler options. I've fallen in love with Pvolve workouts, which offer challenging but sustainable functional fitness (no wonder Jennifer Aniston swears by them!). Couple that with twice-weekly cardio dance classes that bring pure joy, and my body feels strong without being overtaxed.

My wellness toolkit also includes some powerhouse recovery techniques - cryotherapy and infrared sauna sessions have become non-negotiables in my weekly routine. When I felt a bug trying to take hold before Thanksgiving, this combination, along with diligent neti pot use and extra sleep, helped me bounce back quickly.

As we wrap up this year, I'm grateful for the wisdom to slow down and listen to what my body needs. Sometimes the greatest gift we can give ourselves is permission to rest, restore, and enter the new year from a place of strength rather than depletion.

What are your favorite ways to stay well during the busy holiday season? I'd love to hear your tips in the comments below!

xoxo

maddymo

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