Holiday Wellness

Dear Friends,

It is hard to believe that fall is over halfway over and we are almost to the winter season.  With the holiday seasons come the joy of connection and an abundance of activities.  This newsletter will focus on managing holiday stress, to helps us enjoy the season to its fullest.  Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or seeking additional information. 

Best,  Jackie Rumph

The Gift of Self Care 

The holiday season brings much joy and cheer for many. With the many activities, the increase in buying, the opportunity to celebrate and the time and tradition of connecting with friends and family it may be filled with abundance. This change in routine, habit and priorities can lead to feelings of stress. When planning your holiday season, give yourself the gift of self-care.

Estate Planning

During the holidays, there are many festivities allowing for connection with others.  As you connect with your loved ones, consider this is an opportunity to consider your estate planning goals and decisions.  Often, we take the time to designate our titled property but do not designate our non-titled property.  This can lead to great distress for our family members as they attempt to navigate grief and also the settling of an estate.  Consider utilizing our MontGuide: Who gets grandma’s yellow pie plate? to help you designate your non-titled property, or start the conversation with your loved ones   

Joyful Movement

With the joys of connecting it often happens over food, alcohol and caffeine. Prioritize moving your body during the season, is one of the best things you can do to manage stress and reduce adrenaline and cortisol, two stress hormones that can have negative effects on both your mental and physical health. Movement can help reduce fatigue, improve blood flow and relieve feeling of tension, anxiety and anger. All things to help carry you through your holiday season with a little less stress, and more enjoyment.

Nourish Yourself

Next, thinking about your physical health, enjoy the many special treats that come once a year. Help yourself by nourishing your body throughout the season, working in plenty of fruits and veggies. Although there are many delicious drinks during this season, enjoy them, and know that decreasing alcohol and caffeine can also improve your stress and anxiety. Try these yummy Mocktail recipes as an alternative:

Rest Well

Lastly it is easy to lose track of our healthy sleep habits over the holidays. Getting quality sleep helps to keep you healthy both mentally and physically. Lean into the dark days of winter, going to bed a little earlier and rest up. Just as you prioritize your time, finances and consumption, prioritize your sleep to keep yourself healthy and help manage the stress of this bustling season.

Mocktail Recipes

Honey Blackberry Mint Mocktail

Ingredients

  • 8 fresh blackberries
  • ¼ c honey
  • Handful of fresh mint leaves, about 10 plus more for garnish
  • Juice of one lemon
  • ½ c water
  • 2 cups sparkling water

Instructions

  • In a cocktail shaker, muddle together the blackberries, honey, and mint until very well blended.
  • Add the lemon juice and water, cover, and shake to mix.
  • Strain the mixture into two glasses with ice.
  • Top each glass with 1 cup of seltzer.
  • Garnish with blackberries and mint leaves.
  • Recipe: https://www.bowlofdelicious.com/honey-blackberry-mint-mocktails/#recipe

Sangria Mocktail

Ingredients

  • Fresh lemon slices
  • Fresh lime slices
  • Fresh orange slices
  • Cranberries
  • 2 cups cranberry juice
  • 2 cups grape juice
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • 4 cups San Pellegrino sparkling mineral water OR lemon-lime soda

Instructions

Cranberries Photo

bowl of red cranberries in blue bowl on aged wood

Resources for more information: 

Stress management and well-being from Montana State University Extension:

https://msuextension.org/wellness/stress-management/positively_managing_stress.html 

Who Gets Grandma's Yellow Pie Plate Mont GuideMSU Extension Estate Planning https://www.montana.edu/estateplanning/