30 ways to stay grounded & balanced this holiday season…
“Grounded & Balanced”, what does this means in terms of health and wellness?
Are these just buzz words, or ancient principles that really do create more calm and joy in our modern day lives?
As holistic health coaches and practitioners, we learn from early on, staying balanced and grounded are important parts of the whole picture when it comes to leading a healthy and happy life. However, something shifts when we move into the last couple months of the year.
So many of our healthy habits and routines are basically tossed out the window in November and December. We have really good intentions, but by the second week in December our lists are long, the nights are short, we’re skipping our exercise and our diet consists of anything convenient in the pantry (or fast food)…right?
So, this year, let’s get ahead of the busy-ness and set ourselves up to stay a little more grounded and balanced by doing small things daily to help us stay calm, collected, grounded and balanced each day.
First, what does it mean to be “grounded” and “balanced?
To be grounded…
When people describe someone as being grounded, they refer to a physical and mental state of being confident and sure of oneself. Being grounded means you have a strong connection with who you are, which brings you physical and emotional balance.
To be balanced…
Creating a balanced life means making time for the things you have to do, as well as the things you want to do.
Sadhguru, an Indian yogi and author, reminds us that, “There is no such thing as work-life balance. It is all life. The balance has to be within you.” Creating balance is a choice, it means that no matter what life throws at you, or what you do or don’t get done, you maintain an inner sense of peace – a calm in the midst of chaos.
Now, life has its ups and downs and as much as we want each day to be calm and heavenly, we know that’s quite realistic. To create more balance and try to feel more grounded through your days, where do you start?
We are all so different, yes?
Regardless of what you love to eat, how you love to express gratitude, how you meditate or pray etc., you can start by visualizing your life as a circle and then see where you may need a little more attention and love to create a life that feels good, more often than not.
I adapted the “Circle of Life” from IIN, (My school I studied health coaching), and have a full exercise sheet for you to print out and do the exercise.
This exercise helps you identify imbalances and helps you determine where you may need to spend more time and energy to create more balance.
What does your own life look like right now? Click the image and let’s figure out where you may need to focus more of your attention in the coming months.
30 ways to stay grounded and balanced this winter, (and especially during the holidays):
Keep up on morning routine, regardless if you are on the road, on holidays, activities etc., (grab a journal or print a morning sheet)
Move daily
Water, drink enough, (when visiting and drinking alcohol, alternate with a glass of water)
Take 15/20 minutes to declutter and clean one small space that’s been on your mind.
Breathe/meditate/pray daily, (even if it’s only a minute “time out”)
Make your bed
Invest in an inexpensive alarm clock, use that to wake you in the morning instead of your phone
Spend each Sunday prepping for the week ahead, here is a weekly wellness planner
Diffuse cozy, inviting, grounding essential oils, (here are a few ideas), instead of burn candles, (save the scented ones for special occasions)
Invest in beeswax candles instead of scented ones
Do a facial mask
Make a Pinterest board for small diy projects for gifts for Christmas
Treat yourself to a massage
Treat yourself to a restorative/gentle yoga class
Treat yourself to a full facial before bed
Clip, fertilize and transplant any houseplants that need some extra care
Browse your favourite recipes, make a grocery list and plan a few healthy, hearty meals for next week.
Clean up the photos and files on your phone.
Swap your coffee for a cozy, warming drink like Golden Milk or a pre-made powder full of healthy superfoods, (David’s Tea or Blume)
Bake your favourite holiday cookie.
Start your day with a spicy, superfood smoothie.
Swap your diy cleaner with a holiday blend
Stretch before bed, (simple routine: cat/cow, child’s pose, legs up the wall)
Create a soothing, relaxing playlist
Soak in a warm bath with home made salts or bath bombs, (my recipe is right here)
Make a big pot of soup.
Go through your tea collection and enjoy your favourite tea in the evening.
I hope you have a really wonderful day! Chat soon,
Kel :)
