December Reset: How to Take Care of Yourself Without Opting Out During the Holidays

December has a way of convincing us that self-care can wait.

The calendar fills up. Travel plans take over. Work deadlines pile on. Family dynamics resurface. And before we know it, our routines quietly disappear under the excuse of “It’s the holidays.”

Let me be very clear: Busy seasons don’t require you to stop taking care of yourself. They require you to adapt, not opt out.

The Holiday Trap Most People Fall Into

I see this every year.

People don’t just do less in December. They stop altogether.

Movement stops. Daily habits disappear. And by January, they feel stiff, depleted, and frustrated with themselves.

The problem isn’t that December is busy.
The problem is using busy as a blanket excuse.

And yes, there’s a difference between grace and avoidance.

Grace vs. Excuses (There’s a Big Difference)

Grace sounds like:

• “I don’t have time for a full workout today, so I’ll move for 10 minutes.”

• “Travel week means lighter movement, not no movement.”

• “This season is different, so my habits will look different too.”

Excuses sound like:

• “I’ll start again in January.”

• “It’s not worth doing unless I can do it perfectly.”

• “December doesn’t count.”
  

Your body doesn’t know it’s December. It only knows when it’s moving… or when it’s not.

Why Movement Matters Even More During the Holidays

When routines change, your body needs consistency, not intensity.

Movement during busy seasons helps:

• Reduce stiffness from sitting, travel, and long meals

• Keep your joints mobile and pain-free

• Support digestion and circulation

• Regulate stress and energy levels

• Maintain confidence in how you move and feel in your body
  

This isn’t about staying “on track.” It’s about staying connected to your body.

Travel Is Not a Free Pass to Feel Miserable

Planes. Cars. Long dinners. Soft couches. December is a posture nightmare.

The good news?
You don’t need a workout to feel better — you need movement interrupts.

When you’ve been sitting too long, your body doesn’t want intensity. It wants permission to move again.

Simple Travel-Friendly Mobility

You don’t need a mat.
You don’t need to change clothes.
ou don’t even need privacy.

You just need to move your joints through space, gently and intentionally.

Here’s what to focus on:

Spinal Mobility

Undo hours of sitting by slowly rounding and lengthening your spine.
Think: stand tall, then softly curl forward and restack your spine one vertebra at a time.

If you’re able to lie down:

• Lie on your back with your legs resting straight up against a wall

• Scoot your hips as close to the wall as is comfortable

• Rest your head on a pillow and let your arms relax overhead or out to the sides

This helps decompress the spine and calm the nervous system.

Chest & Shoulder Opening

Reach your arms wide, lift your chest slightly, and breathe.
This counters slouching over phones, steering wheels, and long dinners.

If you have something nearby:

• Hold a broom, resistance band, or beach towel wide

• Lift your arms overhead and slowly guide them back toward your hips

Move slowly and stay within a comfortable range.

Hip & Calf Movement

Shift your weight, bend and straighten your legs, and roll through your feet.
This improves circulation and eases that heavy, stiff feeling from long travel days.

You can also sit on the floor cross-legged and gently shift side to side to wake up the hips.

Easy Twists

Gentle rotations (seated or standing) help reset your nervous system and bring your body back online.

If you have access to a stability ball, sit tall and slowly circle your hips (think: slow hula-hoop motion).

No forcing.
No stretching to the point of discomfort.
Just slow, controlled movement paired with calm breathing.

Even 2–5 minutes can change how your body feels.

The Rule to Remember

If you’ve been still for hours, 2–5 minutes of movement can change everything.

You’ll feel:

• Less stiffness

• More energy

• Better posture

• A surprising boost in confidence

And yes, that matters whether you’re getting off a plane or slipping into something festive later that evening.

Why This Works (Especially During the Holidays)

Mobility keeps your body feeling available — not tight, guarded, or achy. And when your body feels better, you show up differently.

That’s the real December reset:
Not doing more — Just not abandoning your body when life gets busy.

Cut Back If You Need To — Just Don’t Stop

This is the mindset shift that changes everything.

December isn’t the month to push harder. It’s the month to stay in the game.

That might mean:

• Shorter movement sessions

• Fewer workouts per week

• More mobility, less intensity

• Gentle resets instead of full routines

What matters is continuity.

Because consistency, even at a lower volume, protects your:

• Joint health

• Energy

• Confidence

• Momentum

Your Body Is Still Your Home

The holidays can pull your attention everywhere else. But your body still needs you.

You don’t need perfection.
You don’t need a fresh start in January.

You just need to keep showing up in small, doable ways.

That’s how you enter the new year feeling capable instead of behind.

And that’s how longevity is built.
One decision at a time.

If you’re ready for a simple, structured reset, the Vibrant40 Jumpstart is available anytime.