Written by travel blogger Tiffany Ammerman | All images courtesy of @cf_kat
While the holidays can be a fun and busy time of year, there are definitely times where you find yourself looking at your schedule wondering how it’s possible that you’re going to squeeze everything in! From visiting family to wrapping gifts and preparing food, it can be a little overwhelming at times. While this time of year can be focused on giving to others, it’s important to remember to give back to yourself as well with these 5 tips for combating holiday stress.
1. Work It Out
Working out can help to relieve stress by releasing endorphins and giving you a singular focus. By spending an hour or two in the local CrossFit box or pounding it out on the treadmill at home, carving out some time to focus on yourself and your goals can be a much needed respite during the rushing around of the holiday season.
2. Grab a Coffee, a Book and Your Dog
Taking some time for yourself to read, play with your dog or just have a coffee alone can do wonders for your mental health. Spending time with our pets can help to relieve stress when we’re trying to tackle that to-do list. The holidays can be a very overwhelming time with all the parties, dinners and tasks that need to be done! Take some time to refocus & recenter yourself so you can jump back into the festivities fully rejuvenated. Bonus tip: adding in a CBD supplement could also help to relieve anxiety, depression & any joint pain from your workouts. A win/win!
3. Make a To-Do List
Making a list of items that need to get done can help you to feel more organized and together when its out of your head and down on paper! With the most pressing items listed first, that will help you to make sure everything gets done when it needs to get done and you don’t feel rushed or pressured. Another useful tool is to understand that not everything has to get done in one day. Next to your tasks, write down what day they need to be done and what day you want to get them done. No time for it today? Try to get it done tomorrow. Be kind to yourself during this stressful time.
4. Focus In On The Positives
While it can be easy to get bogged down in what didn’t work out correctly or that frustrating relative, try to turn your mind to the positives. Getting to spend time with family can be stressful but focusing on the reasons why we love and appreciate our family and friends can help to realign your mind to a more positive space. Write down some positive affirmations or positive things that happened that day rather than dwelling on the cookies that didn’t turn out or the gift that still hasn’t been delivered.
5. Ask For Help
Whether it’s asking your partner to pick up the gift from the shops or asking your friend to be a sounding board, it’s always okay to ask for help. There is no need to spread yourself so thin so you eventually crack! Ask for backup and you’ll be sure to get it.
CONCLUSION
Keep in mind that while the holidays can be heaped in stress, it’s ultimately about spending quality time with the people that you love. Try not to stress about the changes in plans, unexpected guests or burnt cookies! It may seem like a lot at the moment but allowing yourself to have the space to step back and decompress can mean so much for your mental health and happiness during this holiday season.
All images courtesy of @cf_kat
About the Author:
Georgia native Tiffany Ammerman is the thru-hiker and CrossFitter behind the travel blog The Goodish Traveler. She spends the majority of her time traveling, eating sushi and searching for hiking trails. When she's not blogging, Ammerman can be found training at CrossFit LaGrange and teaching art to kids.
> > > Live well.
Written by travel blogger Tiffany Ammerman | All images courtesy of @marissareeds
We all love a good hike when the weather is warm and everything is blooming but it takes a real die-hard hiker to strike out when the snow is blowing and the temps are dipping. There is nothing like stepping out into an abundance of flurries and some beautiful winter scenery but not being prepared can definitely ruin the experience. If you’re a first time winter hiker, take these tips with you on your next cold weather adventure:
1. Layers, Layers and More Layers
Dressing in layers is key for a comfortable winter hike. Typically you’ll warm up quite quickly but start off quite cold. Being able to have control over your wardrobe will make the hike more comfortable as you’re able to take off a hat or put on some gloves. Taking a lunch break during your hike can cool your body down quite quickly so be sure to throw on your outer layer to keep your core warm. Having a Merino wool base layer offers a lot of versatility in that they stay warm in cold temperatures but it offers breathability once you get warmed up.
2. Have a Camp Layer
While not super vital, it can just be nice to have something special that you wear only when you make it to camp. Similar to throwing on some camp shoes, there is just something nice in being able to peel off the clothes that you wear while you were trekking and putting on something warm and new. Keeping a favorite hoodie or sweatshirt buried deep in your bag that you can throw on when you’re done for the day will warm you up mentally and spiritually as well as physically.
3. Keep Items in Your Possibles Pouch or Hip Belt
If you’re an experienced hiker, you know that there are definitely things that you’ll need along the way that often times people don’t think to bring. Keeping things like aspirin, vaseline, sunscreen (you can get sunburned in the winter!), lip balm, tissues, etc. are very important in making your hike a more productive and positive experience. If you have a hip belt, keeping these items tucked away to where they are easily accessible is best so that they you don’t have to stop and dig them out of your pack. However, if you don’t have pockets on your hip belt, keeping a small waterproof bag in the top portion of your pack with your “possibles” can help to make your hike more comfortable in the long run.
4. Stay Hydrated
Even though you might not feel like it, your body is still sweating and exerting energy under all of those layers and sometimes we forget to keep hydrating. Keep drinking water and you’ll feel more energized to keep going on your hike! You’ll also feel more clear headed and alert. Becoming dehydrated can cause cramping or could cause hikers to become confused. It’s easier to feel the typical signs of thirst when your body is warm and sweating, but the first sign of dehydration is thirst. Take care of your body before it starts sending you distress signals.
5. Communication Is Key
As with all hiking, make sure someone knows where you are and when you plan to return. Especially when it comes to winter hiking, it is very important to communicate to someone back at home. Whether you’re going on a day hike for a few hours or a multi day out-and-back, let someone know.
C O N C L U S I O N
Winter hiking can be a fantastic and rewarding experience that can lead to longer and more technical hikes in the future. Be sure you’re prepared before you go and it’ll be sure to be a more comfortable and exhilarating adventure!
All images courtesy of @marissareeds
About the Author:
Georgia native Tiffany Ammerman is the thru-hiker and CrossFitter behind the travel blog The Goodish Traveler. She spends the majority of her time traveling, eating sushi and searching for hiking trails. When she's not blogging, Ammerman can be found training at CrossFit LaGrange and teaching art to kids.
> > > Live well.
You’ve got a competition coming up and you’re deeply invested in your meal prepping, training schedule and water intake but you’ve also got some intense travel sessions booked. You have all the best intentions of keeping to your training schedule but a few hours of waiting around in the airport and some questionable airplane food later, you’re wondering whether you really want to make the leap to your phone to call a ride. It happens to all of us!
Next time you’re on the move, take these tips with you to help you out along the way.
Think of it as your nagging gym friend who keeps telling you to go to the 9am Saturday WOD.
Recovery Is Key
Focusing on your range of movement exercises and recovery stretches can help out big time after being jammed into a small airplane seat all day. While you’re waiting for your flight, take some time to stretch it out. It’ll help you feel less beat up and slightly more rejuvenated and get you ready for your next flight. There are several apps on the market these days that can run through some movements ranging anywhere from a 10-minute stretch to a full-on 45-minute yoga session. You might get some looks but you’ll be the one feeling good!
Pack It Out
Be prepared for any sort of food situation by bringing in your own meal preps and snacks. This can be especially helpful if you’re on a long car ride or in a town where you don’t know or have access to a grocery store. Bringing a cooler full of your favorite training foods and drinks loaded with turmeric and BCAAs can help out with your recovery as well as just make you feel good after hours in the car. A lot of Airbnbs will let you use their kitchen, so bringing your own ingredients can definitely help out when you’ve just gotten into town and you’re ready to tuck into a heaping meal.
(Image courtesy of: Anna Kirkpatrick)
Pre-Commit to Training
Something I like to do before I travel is research a local CrossFit box and send them an email letting them know I’d like to drop in on a certain day and time. Finding somewhere you’d like to train beforehand helps you to take the guesswork out of the where and gives you a why! Why are you going? Because you’ve already contacted the coach and committed to going! Also, training at a different box is pretty exciting.
Focus on Sleep
This definitely goes without saying but sleeping is important in recovery and general wellness. If you’re traveling to a different time zone, try getting on that schedule as soon as possible. Eat meals when you’re supposed to eat (even if that means you have two dinners) and sleep when you’re supposed to sleep. That’ll help your body align with your new time. The temptation is to sleep until the afternoon or to crash as soon as you open the door to your hotel, but resist the urge! You’ll be glad you did.
CONCLUSION
Traveling is one of life’s greatest pleasures so don't be afraid to live in the moment! There is something in being prepared but also in not being too rigid. Try to do what is best for you and your health in that moment. Always remember that, above all else, it’s about doing what makes you happy.
Image courtesy of: @the_goodish_traveler
(Cover image courtesy of: Robert Smith)
About the Author:
Georgia native Tiffany Ammerman is the thru-hiker and CrossFitter behind the travel blog The Goodish Traveler. She spends the majority of her time traveling, eating sushi and searching for hiking trails. When she's not blogging, Ammerman can be found training at CrossFit LaGrange and teaching art to kids.
> > > Live well.