Happy WELLNESS WEDNESDAY from Walt Disney World, friends!
Last year, I shared this topic and loved it so much (for my own accountability) that today, I have HEALTHY HOLIDAY CHECKLIST: 2025 EDITION for you too!
Because ’tis the season for most of the women I know to put themselves last and everything/everyone else first. I don’t know about you, but come January 1, I’d love NOT to be totally burned out, worn out, out of shape, dehydrated, bloated, and cranky. No one wants to start their 2026 off like that, right?
I looked back over my list from last year, and honestly, my goals for this year are all the same (with a few extra). If anything, I read back over my list and scratched my head. How, in only the third week of November, did I already start backsliding into old habits? It only takes a hot minute to bring back alllllll of my old “bad holiday habits”.
As a reminder, here are 12 things I focused on last holiday season…
1: MORE SLEEP
2: INTERMITTENT FASTING
3: LIFTING HEAVY WEIGHTS FOUR DAYS A WEEK
4: LOOKING AT MY PHONE LESS
5: BEING UNSCHEDULED MORE
6: ENJOYING OUR FAVORITE TRADITIONS AND SAYING NO TO OTHER THINGS
7: INDULGING IN SEASONAL NIBBLES AND SIPS
8: DRINK MORE WATER
9: PUTTING DOWN MY “TO DO” LIST
10: GETTING MY STEPS IN
11: HAVING QUIET TIME EVERY MORNING
12: REMEMBERING THE REASON FOR THE SEASON
If you want to see me elaborate on each of these, READ LAST YEAR’S POST for more details.
This year, I added a few more things to my HEALTHY HOLIDAY CHECKLIST…
13: ALL IS CALM
Yeah, I want to be calm this year. I don’t want to be rushed. Or frazzled. Or late. Or heaven forbid “busy”. I want to be calm. Calm, calm, calm. All is calm, all is bright. I want that this season. I don’t know about you, but if I were to guess, I would say 90% of my “uncalmness” is self-induced. I over-schedule, I over-plan, I over-prepare, I over-commit. If I could just do less of that, I think I’d be on my way to a more calm holiday season.
14: I AM MOVING THINGS TO “NEXT YEAR” ON MY CALENDAR
‘Tis not the season to do things that could be done in January. There are appointments that I have that really could be moved (a hair appointment, a dermatologist appointment, etc). This is not the time of year for me to agree to any extra coffee dates or schedule Zoom calls with suppliers at work…things that are not urgent and could easily be done (and enjoyed!) come January and February.
15: EATING MORE PROTEIN
I try to get in 100 grams of protein each day…some days, it’s easier than others. Some days, I’m able to get all 100 grams from my meals but other days, I have to supplement with a bar or shake. Either way, I am going to “think protein” this season. I love indulging in the season treats (per #7!), but I always feel better if I’m full of protein.
16: FINISH MY SHOPPING EARLIER THAN NORMAL
I haven’t started my Christmas shopping, but my plan is to start soon and get it finished by December 1st so that it’s not hanging over my head. It would be really nice to have that crossed off my mental “to do” list.
17: SEND OUT FEWER HOLIDAY CARDS
I’m noticing that I am receiving fewer and fewer holiday cards each year. As much as I love receiving them, I understand that they’re expensive, time consuming, and just one “more” thing to do during this already busy season. I have been pairing down my list over the last few years, but I think I’ll really pair it down this year.
18: GO OUTSIDE EVERY DAY
Fresh air makes me happy. I don’t want to get too busy that I forget to just go outside and enjoy a few minutes. I always come back inside with a little extra pep in my step.
And that’s my HEALTHY HOLIDAY CHECKLIST: 2025 EDITION!
Okay, I want to hear what’s on your list this year. Please, please, please comment and share!
Today, I am also sharing PART TWO OF OUR TRIP TO BUDAPEST! Make sure you check out that post as well.
I hope you have the best, best day, friends! I’ll see you tomorrow. xx
Diane Moore says
Yes! Every year I try to come through the holidays less frazzled. I get some things better, and have made things much easier, but still feel frazzled. Which tells me it’s in myself. I just feel it regardless.
I may need to let go of pride in how I’m perceived of doing the holidays. Ouch.
Elspeth Mizner says
I’m all about keeping up with habits during the holidays!! I try to make sure I’m still eating balanced meals and getting movement in every day!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Nicole says
I love this list!!! I have a motto of wrapped and done by December 1!! I started my list in October and slowly started to chip away at it. I ordered my holiday wrapping paper and tags so I can get everything done. I’m always hopeful that I don’t have to buy anything else come December and can relax and enjoy. I gave up on Christmas cards several years ago and it was liberating. I always had the taking pictures, designing a card, updating the mailing list and sending out. I have never looked back!!
Kelly Sites says
Happy Wed. Glad you are enjoying your hard working team at Disney. Girl, CALM CALM CALM…..me too. Gosh, why is it so hard? I’m a rush around, get ‘er done gal. I have self-induced rush syndrome (just made that up) I want to STOP the madness. I’m working on it, but my default is always rush. I’m intense, passionate and a do-er. It’s hard to change. Let’s make it happen in 2026.
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
I love your original list and then the things you’ve added! Whenever we go to a party or family gathering, I really try to look for the protein heavy things to put on my plate first (like turkey or ham) and then I’ll have just a little serving of a few things I just want to taste. That helps me feel like I’m indulging and eating what I want, but I’m just getting a taste. I also want to make sure I move my body more and then just ENJOY the chaos!!!
MeetTheShaneyfelts
jennibell says
You already have this as “get my steps in” but my goal is “get the dogs out every day” which makes sure that my steps are outside, not just at the gym or on a pickleball court. Not committing to a certain distance or place, just to “DO IT”. Thanks for all these great reminders!!
Debbie Hibbert says
About 10 years ago I made it my FIRM goal to be finished with my Christmas shopping by Thanksgiving! It’s made my mood, and enjoyment of the season, 100% better. It’s not always easy, but it’s so worth the effort to just get it done.
Kari Miller says
I like the idea of setting some healthy goals and boundaries for the holidays. Life can really get the best of us this time of year. I’m going to make a list of my own, thanks for the inspiration.
https://karimillerblog.com/christmas-wishlist-wednesday-the-best-gift-ideas-for-women-in-2025/
Alyssa says
I cut my Christmas card list in half several years ago and debate every year whether I’ll stop sending any. The cost financially as well as time wise is extraordinarily high. But boy do I enjoy receiving them from others!
Lori says
I have to remind myself not to stress during the holidays. I have several days off during the month of December and I am going to concentrate on spending my time with with my beautiful grandkids and enjoy the season. I think we all need a little “calm”. Thank you for the inspiration.
Arika says
“enjoying favorite traditions and saying no to other things.” I love this. It’s a good reminder to get input from the kids about what they really love and what they can leave behind. I let go of formal family photos! We will still do them occiaionally, but not every year, and not duing the fall when things are so busy. Some of our favorite pics are candids we take thoughout the year, on vacation, etc. anyway.
Natasha says
My goal this holiday season is “survive”! Over half of our house is being renovated, and we’re living in it during the process, so I’m letting EVERYTHING go this season and, if anything happens, it will be a bonus! We’ll have no kitchen, no space for a tree, and, likely, no shower, so it’s gonna be a very different, but memorable, holiday season.
And hey, if Mary can give birth in a barn, we can celebrate the holidays during a major renovation, right?!?!?
Gail says
When our kids were in Jr. High we decided together as a family to end Christmas Presents and instead, we started a travel fund. Now we just do stockings (with really good stuff like gift cards, favorite candy, always a tube of toothpaste and new toothbrush heads for the electric toothbrushes. This is in honor of my dad who was a dentist.) And each adult kid gets a handmade card and a check to spend how they wish. We tell our kids that we dont want anything except some good quality time with them. It doesn’t have to be on Christmas, just some time during the year to spend together. We have a really nice dinner either on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day depending on which year is the in-laws turn. Sometimes the in laws come to our house and we all do stockings together. Only the grandkids get presents.
I can’t tell you how much more relaxed we all are! Also, we send out our ‘Christmas Photo Card’ at a different time of year like Valentines Day or Easter.
All of this means that baking and decorating cookies with the grandkids is actually fun! Sometimes I do the baking ahead of time and we all decorate together and it is messy and the kids LOVE it. We do the store bought gingerbread house after Christmas. Who cares?? I make any tags or cards starting in April through August for the next year. That way I actually enjoy the process. I have other friends that instead of giving extended family a gift, they give them all a certain amount of cash about a month before Christmas and tell them to pick a charity or a person with a great need to give it to and then at Christmas (or whenever they get together), they all share who they gave it to and why.
Mix and Match Mama says
I could not love this more! Thank YOU so much for sharing this with us! xx
Ellen says
This sounds really nice, and I love that you make your own cards and tags. 🙂
Kathy says
All the shopping is done and presents are wrapped under the tree! I feel very accomplished. 😊
Mix and Match Mama says
You should!!!
Stacy says
I read, Prepare Him Room, last year based on your recommendation. I really enjoyed it! Do you have a Christmas devotional for this year?
Debra Lowe says
Love this list to remind me to stay calm! Thank you for making me feel better about not having bought one gift so far and giving me permission to pare my Christmas card list down! I will get it all done – maybe not by December 1st – goal is before December 5th before we leave on a trip to NYC and Boston so I can enjoy the trip without it hanging over me.
Robyn says
I have not started shopping either, but I am hoping to start and finish via Black Friday (online) and Cyber Monday.
I love the idea of moving appointments to 2026. I’m going to work on doing just that in the next few days.
Madeline says
What are your thoughts on the vibration plate craze right now?? I can’t decide if it’s just a fad or I need one!!
Mix and Match Mama says
I’ve never used one…maybe I should see if my gym has one and try?
Lori R says
Yes to all, but especially sleep for me. I feel so much better after getting enough sleep!
Alison says
I would love a Shay’s Ways on how you handle Christmas shopping!
Diane Moore says
This is a great idea/request!!
Lisa N says
Love this! We recently watched Candace Cameron Bure in a GAC movie called A Christmas…….Present. Best Hallmarky movie I’ve seen in a while. All about scheduling too much during the holidays. So good!
Amy says
Sounds like I’m alone here…I love Christmas shopping! If I had it all done by December 1, there’s no chance I’d be able to wait a month for them to be opened. In fact, I’ve already bought stuff off my daughters’ Giftfuls and just given it to them, like cute sweaters I want them to be able to wear this month to all their fun things! 🫣 Part of the joy of the season for me is the shopping—it’s not something we do all the time. If there are any other Type Bs out there who love wrapping gifts on Christmas Eve (because they just came in), I’m with you! Sometimes they’re more like New Year’s gifts because I saw something on last-minute sale and went for it. Jesus loves me anyway, and He loves you too. I like doing things at the last minute and I think He gets a kick out of it. 😉
Patrice Bennett says
Amy you are NOT ALONE!
I can not imagine being done shopping by December 1st!
I don’t even have the wish lists yet!
Mary says
What Advent devotional/study are you doing this year?
Mix and Match Mama says
I am still working through my Mom Strong study, and then I have a Nehemiah study to do as soon as I’m done, so I don’t think I’m going to do an Advent study this year.