My Tried and True Holiday Survival Guide

I suggest screaming into the void, among other things.

Hello, loves. How’re you all holding up now that we’re just a week out from The Big Day?

We celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas (my husband is half Jewish) so I’ve been baking up a ton of challah this week to give as gifts and also to feed the twenty or so young adults we’re hosting for our annual Hanukkah dinner.

As I’ve been braiding loaf after loaf after loaf, I’ve been thinking about my well-honed holiday survival strategies and thought I’d share what’s working for me right now. Feel free to steal whatever ideas resonate and say “no thanks” to the rest!

Wear comfy clothes. My tolerance for anything tight, itchy or uncomfortable is extremely low right now (thank you perimenopause). So, until life calms down I’m pulling my hair up and opting out of clothes that make me want to crawl out of my skin.

Eat high protein, high fiber meals with a wide variety of flavor profiles. I’ve been cooking a lot of Lillie Eats and Tells recipes since Thanksgiving, and a friend just sent along this recipe for Honey Harissa Chicken Bowls that I can’t wait to make this weekend.

There’s something about the variety of flavor profiles and abundance of vegetables that makes indulging in a rich holiday meal or sugary holiday treats feel less consequential, if that makes sense. Like, I can indulge and still feel good in my body because everything else I’m eating is fresh, light and novel.

Move in any way you can, for any amount of time. Not to burn off holiday calories, but to burn off holiday stress. Even a quick walk about the block or kitchen dance party can feel like pressing the reset button on both mind and body.

Get outside. I get that some people are just straight up indoorsy, and I respect that. But I need time outside to stay mentally healthy, even when it’s downright depressing out there. Which is why I take a lot of night walks in the winter.

A few years ago, we discovered that night walks are the antidote to the gray, depressing winter days. Instead, they are absolutely cozy and magical - especially when Christmas lights are up. So we try to bundle up and take nightly walks with whoever is home. And they are a great way to reset and reconnect at the end of the day.

Thinking about enjoying a night walk? Please make sure you’re visible in the dark. My husband was nearly hit by a car a few years ago (it was such a close call) - so one of us always wears a light up vest when we walk at night.

Schedule time with someone you can debrief with. Is there anything better than sneaking out to spend a quick hour with someone who gets it? I can’t recommend this enough.

Make up an errand if you need to get away and breathe for a bit. Bonus points if you find an empty parking lot and scream into the void.

If all else fails, renew your commitment to the We Do Not Care Club. Watch some posts, read the comments, and remember that you’re in good company. Also, congrats to Melani for being named PEOPLE’S Creator of the Year!

Alright, so this is what’s working for me right now. I’d love to know what’s working for you!

Big hugs and good luck these next few weeks - Hot & Bothered is going on holiday and will resume in the new year.

Until then,

Rebecca

P.S. An important reminder.