Last Push Before Christmas

Nothing says “pack it up” like the Christmas decorations going up in stores.

For the people who don’t spend some random evening stringing tinsel, situating smug little elves and adorning the aisles in festive red, green and gold, the transformation can be quite jarring.

I know this because, as I watch a woman rummage through the Halloween decorations at a popular party store, the sudden sight of a Christmas tree in mid-October is met with something akin to “Nee, f*k!”.

As a person who prefers not to rush Christmas, I tend to agree with her. But the premature decking of the halls can also offer some last-ditch motivation.

Yes, the year is almost over. Sure, your New Year’s resolutions are in tatters. 

But now is as good a time as any to revisit and recommit to what you set out to achieve in the first place, while acknowledging the limits of year-end fatigue.

If your plans for this year included saving money, exercising more, eating better, travelling and getting more sleep, here are some tips to get you back on track.

Save Money

For most people, the festive season is a time of financial anarchy. 

You’ve worked hard, the bonus is in and it’s time to reap the rewards.

 This is all good and well until the wasteland that is Januworry rears its shaking head and payday is a speck on the horizon. 

Though it seems counterintuitive, the festive season is a great time to draw up a budget with regard to your social life, travel plans and celebrations. Splurge, but within reason, capitalise on Christmas sales and get your shopping done early to beat any last-minute mark-ups.

Exercise More

Hopefully, with the holidays comes a little more time to yourself. Free from the hustle of early mornings, too short evenings, the school run and assorted working life commitments, this may be a good opportunity to experiment with exercise to set yourself up for the new year. 

Shock gym staff and actually show up to the space you pay for, chat to an in-house trainer and get some workout tips or join a social running or walking club to see how you like it.

If none of the above is your jam, try moving more at home.

 YouTube offers a wealth of step-by-step videos, classes and challenges. Try Yoga with Adriene for something more chilled, Jeanette Jenkins, Chris Heria and Chloe Ting to see actual flames and PS Fit for a variety of workouts for different levels of fitness.

Eat Better

The end of year in Namibia is pretty delicious.

 The braai fires are going. It’s mango, watermelon, blueberry and strawberry season, and the scorching hot weather makes a great case for hydration. 

Though the festive season is notoriously a time for indulgence, a focus on protein-rich, lean meats at braais, lightly dressed vegetables as your side dish and fresh seasonal fruit for dessert can help keep you energised and healthier these holidays.

 With regard to festive season drinking, avoid sugary cocktails and mixers and top up low calorie spirits such as vodka, tequila, whisky and gin with water, sparkling water or fresh lemon juice.

Travel

The festive season is travel season and, as people head out of the country, to the north or to the coast, you may simply be staying home. If you’re staycationing, the trick to feeling as though you’ve journeyed to a new locale is being a tourist in your own town. 

Google the place you live in, find out what the tourists come to see and dive in. 

Whether that’s enjoying a sunset, drinking a world-class Windhoek Lager, visiting a museum to learn more about the country’s history or buying crafts from local artisans, every place has its special something if you just look around with the eyes of someone who paid a fortune to be here.

Get More Sleep

If your only plan for the festive season is to get more shut-eye, more power to you. Sleep is the beginning of everything and getting inadequate rest affects all aspects of our lives, including our energy levels, cognitive function, mood, mental and physical health and overall well-being.

With a tad more time to spare, research ways to improve sleep and put them into practice to see what works best for you. Some people benefit from the fatigue induced by exercise, others find disconnecting from their gadgets beneficial.

 Pre-bedtime reading can be an alternative way to unwind and so can listening to an audiobook, podcast, guided meditation, rain sounds or white noise.

It’s 54 days before Christmas – may this last push be blessed.

– martha@namibian.com.na; Martha Mukaiwa on Twitter and Instagram, marthamukaiwa.com