Guilty Pleasures in the Midst of the Holidays
By Sheila Kemper Dietrich - December 29, 2017
We all need a day off every once in a while. In fact, in the
midst of the hustle and bustle of life, surrounded by stress and long hours, we
really need to take a day off from time to time. Down time is key to our
health.
There are actually many benefitsto having a day off. Research shows time off can boost our immune system,
add years to our lives, increases our capacity to cope, and even improves our
short-term memory. We all know, when we
take the time, that we feel better when we nourish oursoul.
When I have been putting in long hours I start craving a
“lounge around day.” It is a way to reboot.
You can let go of all the thoughts, concerns and worries looping in your
brain, let your body luxuriate in a day of rest and allow your stomach a day
off too.
This is particularly true during the holidays. After all the
work, partying, planning, shopping, cooking, feeding, decorating, wrapping,
delivering and clean up I long for a day to just curl up in my pajamas with a
dog on either side of me while I sip tea, read a new book, and watch my
favorite classic movies. No cooking is allowed, only easy reheating of
leftovers, hopefully in healthy portions. The week between Christmas and New
Years is ideal. Most of the world is quiet then so you can squeeze in some “me
time.” Not only do we need it, we deserve it!
I call this kind of lounge around day one of my Guilty Pleasures. It truly is a
guilt-free day, we’ve earned it, but somehow by framing it as a day of
indulgence, we can enjoy it that much more. It frees us up to do the activities
we like to do—no need to negotiate the movie you are going to watch, no need to
fix an extra cup of tea or plate of food, this day and all you do is just for
you.
You may not end up with an entire day off if you have family
with you but you can organize activities for them while you hang out at home.
Plan now so you can have a morning or afternoon off. And then, at the end of
the day, fix your favorite night cap, fill your bath tub with steaming hot
water with bath salts, light a candle or two by your tub, turn on some relaxing
music, close the bathroom door and ease into a long soak. You can’t beat the
feeling of this guilty pleasure!
Enjoy! And Live Wise!
