This year, instead of allowing the holidays to derail your healthy habits, let’s make a proactive choice. Here at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch, we believe that the key to a happy holiday season lies in maintaining a healthy balance. If you can focus on three “S’s” — sleep, strength and socializing — you can enjoy the festivities while feeling closest to your usual best!

Prioritize Your Sleep Sanctuary

With early morning errands and preparation and late-night gatherings, your sleep schedule can fall into disarray, leaving you feeling frazzled and wrecked. On slower days, take advantage of bringing your body back to its normal sleep routine. Remember that although the holidays are busier, the parties and get-togethers are intermittent. Quality rest is paramount to both physical and mental health. A sound sleep schedule can boost your energy and immune function, decrease stress, and improve your mood.

• Create a routine: Establish a relaxing bedtime routine to signal to your body that it’s time to wind down. Reduce screen time to 60-90 minutes before bedtime. Use calming scents to relax the senses. Read something relaxing before bedtime.
• Keep it consistent: Go to bed and wake up at around the same time every day, even on the weekends. Allow natural light to awaken your senses in the morning.
• Optimize your sleep space: Maintain a bedroom that is cool, dark and quiet. This encourages deep, restorative sleep.

Maintain Your Strength & Exercise Schedule

Many think, “I will start over in January.” The all-or-nothing mentality can lead to excess pounds gained. Fitting in fitness helps us to feel less stressed, more energized and more confident. Even a walk outside can help clear the mind. Strength training gives you the wherewithal to handle even the most difficult relative. 

• Move with purpose when you can: Squeeze in a 30-minute workout before your day gets hectic, even if it’s just stretching or bodyweight exercises. Go to the driving range even if you can’t fit in a full round of golf. 
• Stay active together: Be the good influence that maybe even gets a non-exerciser moving! Plan your workout with a friend or family member that does workout. Partake in the Turkey Trot and Stuffing Stroll on Black Friday. Join an exercise class together and then enjoy the sauna.
• Use our Club amenities: Out at Cordillera Ranch, you can walk miles of trails, enjoying nature and spectacular views. Plan a trail ride at the Equestrian Center or go shooting at the Gun Club. Get the family involved in a friendly game of pickleball. All movement counts!

Lean into Socializing

The holidays can be a time of low feelings — SAD (seasonal affective disorder). While it’s easy to get caught up in planning and hosting, you don’t have to do it alone. The holidays are truly about connection. Have a friend help set up for a party or enlist a relative to help in the kitchen or around the house. Or, to take some of the pressure off, the Clubs offer the perfect setting for your holiday party. Chef’s team offers delicious choices for catering and a smart system for to-go orders. 

• Mix and mingle: Instead of sitting in one place at a party, stand, walk around and engage in conversation with different people. When you stand most of the day, you expend more calories and add steps into your daily 10,000 steps!
• Connect at the Club: Take advantage of the Club’s holiday events to socialize. Here in South Texas, we have beautiful weather to enjoy outdoor events with our friends and family.
• Mindful indulgence: Enjoy the delicious food and drinks at the parties and get-togethers but remember the 2:1 ratio: 2 glasses of water to follow each cocktail, wine or beer. Keep a mental awareness log of sweets and treats, not to chastise yourself, but to stay accountable. You’ll feel much better in the long run. 

This holiday season is full, but there are more days to stay as close to consistent than there are parties. Let the routine win and the joyful chaos be what it is.